From Bill of Rights Institute – adopted for a 5th grade reading level

Adapted to a 5th grade reading level

Narrative

When Frederick Douglass was 20 years old, he made a daring escape to freedom by boarding a train heading north. This was a big deal because two years earlier, his first escape attempt had ended with him in jail. This time, however, Douglass had carefully planned his escape, built up his skills, and had support from others. He truly believed he could be free.

Douglass’s escape wasn’t a sudden decision. It was the result of years of hard work and learning. Slaves were not allowed to read or write because slave owners were afraid that if enslaved people learned to read, they might want to be free. When Douglass was 8 years old, he went to live in Baltimore. His master’s wife kindly began teaching him the alphabet and how to read, but she was soon told to stop.

Even though Douglass wasn’t supposed to learn, he continued to teach himself. He found creative ways to learn to read, often with the help of other kids. Sometimes he would trade his bread for their help in learning to read. He also studied books and newspapers to learn about freedom and resistance.

When Douglass was sent back to work on a plantation in 1833, life became very hard. He was sent to a cruel overseer named Edward Covey who tried to break Douglass’s spirit. Douglass described this time as terrible, saying it felt like he had been turned into a beast. However, after a fierce struggle with Covey, Douglass found a renewed sense of strength and determination to be free.

In 1838, Douglass finally managed to escape to the North with the help of the Underground Railroad. He lived as a free man, changed his name, got married, and found a job. He was thrilled to earn money and keep it. Douglass used his skills in writing and speaking to fight against slavery and advocate for equal rights. He believed that achieving greatness requires struggle and hard work.

Caption: Frederick Douglass valued learning and worked hard for education and equal rights for Black Americans until he passed away in 1895. Photo: Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, Washington, DC.

Douglass’s life shows how important it is to take responsibility for one’s freedom and equality. He escaped from an unjust system that violated his rights and worked to help others gain their rights too. He urged his country to live up to its founding principles.

Analysis Questions

1. Why were enslaved people not allowed to learn to read?
   
2. What important event happened when Douglass was 8 years old?
   
3. What creative methods did Douglass use to improve his reading skills?
   
4. Was Douglass’s escape attempt in 1836 against the law, and was it virtuous?
   
5. What effect did fighting back against Covey have on Douglass’s views?
   
6. What does Douglass mean by his quote about struggle and progress?
   
7. How did Douglass continue to show responsibility after the Thirteenth Amendment?
   
8. Why does liberty require responsibility? Do you think Douglass would agree?
   
9. What is the responsibility of citizens in a republic to protect others’ rights?
   
10. How does civic virtue relate to running a republic?
    
11. What are you responsible for in your life, and what will you be responsible for in five years?
    
12. How do you act responsibly in your daily life, and how will you in the future?