Vocabulary in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Genuine and trustworthy as an official record; not invented or guessed at. Douglass uses it to mean a real, verifiable document rather than hearsay or memory.

A direct stepping-in by God to change the course of events on someone's behalf. Douglass uses it to mean divine intervention that shaped his fate.

Believing that events are controlled by supernatural forces or luck rather than reason. Douglass uses it to anticipate the reader's skepticism about his faith in Providence.

Thinking too highly of oneself or placing too much importance on one's own experiences. Douglass uses it to acknowledge that claiming divine favor might seem self-centered.

An old unit of length equal to about 45 inches, used here as a figure of speech meaning a very large amount. The phrase 'give an inch, take an ell' means a small concession leads to far greater demands.

A trumpet, or a loud, clear call like one. Douglass uses it as a metaphor for the powerful, rousing sound of freedom's call awakening his spirit.

To feel a deep, intense hatred or disgust toward something. Douglass uses it to convey the moral revulsion that literacy brought him toward the institution of slavery.

The formal process of assigning a monetary value to property for legal or financial purposes, such as settling an estate. Here it refers to the appraisal of enslaved people alongside livestock.

Official approval or justification, especially from a moral or religious authority. Douglass uses it to show how Thomas Auld used religion to excuse and legitimize his cruelty.

A state of deep moral corruption and wickedness. Douglass uses it to describe the shameless cruelty Auld relied on before he adopted religion as a cover.

A change of religious belief, specifically the moment someone becomes a committed Christian. Douglass uses it ironically, since Auld's conversion made him crueler rather than kinder.

The ropes or anchors that keep a boat fixed in place. Douglass uses it figuratively to mean the ties that bind a person to one fixed condition or place, contrasting the ships' freedom with his own captivity.

Complete and perfect in every detail, especially in a skill or quality. Douglass uses it to emphasize that Gore's cold-bloodedness was not accidental but thorough and practiced.

To tolerate or put up with something. Douglass uses it to show that Colonel Lloyd absolutely refused to accept any disagreement or back-talk from an enslaved person.

Seeming to lack clear meaning or logical connection. Douglass uses it to describe how the slaves' songs appeared meaningless to outsiders who did not understand their emotional depth.

A formal legal inquiry conducted by a court to examine whether a crime has been committed and who is responsible. Douglass uses it to highlight that enslaved people had no legal recourse.

To formally begin a legal case or lawsuit in a court of law. Douglass uses it to underscore that enslaved people were legally barred from seeking justice through the courts.

Coming after something else in time or order. Douglass uses it to say that going to Baltimore was the starting point for everything good that happened to him later in life.

Deeply miserable and without hope, in a condition of suffering and degradation. Douglass uses it to describe the full horror of his enslaved life once he was able to understand it through reading.

Harshly critical and damaging in a way that leaves no room for defense. Douglass uses it to praise the newspaper's fierce, unsparing attacks on slaveholders.

Strong, public declarations that something or someone is wrong, wicked, or criminal. Douglass uses it to describe the newspaper's forceful condemnations of slaveholders.

Legally at risk of something happening; exposed to a particular danger or obligation by law. Douglass uses it to mean he could legally be captured and returned to slavery at any moment.

A secret network of people and safe houses that helped enslaved people escape to free states or Canada. Douglass uses the term to refer to this system while criticizing those who publicized it openly.