Autobiography vs. Biography (NLOFD) English 12

Do Now – 1 error For example Ms. Jones acts like a mother by taking care of Roger physically.

Biography The true story of one’s life written by someone else.

Elements of Biography It may span a person’s whole life, or it may just tell certain important parts of their life. - An account of one’s entire life is almost always told in chronological order. It contains a variety of important information about the person’s life. What are some things that most biographies probably include?

The true story of someone's life written by that person. Autobiographies The true story of someone's life written by that person.

Elements of Autobiography It may span a person’s whole life, or it may just tell certain important parts of a person’s life. - An account of one’s entire life is almost always told in chronological order. - It often tells how the person feels and thinks about things about important issues and events.

First literary technique Characterization through personification. Keep an eye out for any time that the author directly or indirectly compares people to animals. Note what the comparisons say about the character.

Assignment On a separate sheet of paper, write your own “reader autobiography” (At least 8 sentences). Be sure to include things like: - When did you first learn to read? - What struggles did you have and what struggles do you still have as a reader? - Why is being able to read important to you? - How would your life be different if you couldn’t read.

Do Now Recap the first chapter three chapters of the Narrative of Frederick Douglass.

Significant Passages Pg. 1 “In general, slaves do not know their ages any more than horses know theirs, and most masters want to keep it that way.” This is the first instance of the narrator using animal characteristics to illustrate the perspective of slave owners toward slaves by comparing human beings to horses.

Significant Passages Pg. 4 “For unless he does this, he must not only whip them himself, but he must stand by and see one white son tie up his brother, only a few shades darker.” This passage illustrates the measures that slave owners took to avoid feeling human emotion toward their offspring. This passage comes just after the narrator expresses how slaves were regarded as mere animals while it is the slave owners who actually act more animalistic.

Significant Passages P. 12 “The songs of slaves represent the sorrow in their heart.” In this passage Frederick explains the true meaning of slave songs and that they do not thank God for living, but rather, long to see him in heaven.

Significant Passages Pg. 11 “I have seen him whip a woman until her blood ran for a half an hour amidst her crying children.” Douglass includes such graphic scenes to portray the realities of slaveholders that otherwise may not be preserved due to the lack of education they normally received.

Significant Passages “In moments of agony, I envied my fellow slaves for their ignorance” pg 39 In this passage, we are exposed to the first effect education has had on Douglass. Seeing the potential for freedom has given Douglass hope that has now consumed him to the point that he envies his fellow slaves who at least have come to terms with the fact that they may never be free.

Significant Passages Pg. 45 “There were horses and men, women and cattle, pigs and women all holding the same importance” In this passage, Douglass contrasts the valuation of slaves and farm animals with his arrival in Baltimore where he is exposed to idea of freedom.

Significant Passages “This was a marvelous document to me. The moral which I took from it was that truth had power over the conscious of a slave owner.” Pg 39 The document Douglass is referring to in this passage is the Columbian Orator, which is the first major text that Douglass was exposed to with abolitionist literature.

Literary Technique Allusion – When an author makes a reference to another literary work or well known historical event or figure. Ex. Douglass often alludes to the Bible when commenting on the barbarity of his slaveholders.

Significant Passages Pg. 52 “To justify this bloody deed, he quoted this passage of scripture: “He who knoweth his master’s will. And doeth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes.” In this passage we see slave owners using scriptures to justify their barbarity by blasphemously comparing themselves to God.

Significant Passage Pg. 61-62 “You are loose from your moorings and are fee…There is a better day coming? This passage marks the turning point of Douglass’ decision that he will not die a slave. This decision comes as a result of his constant reminders of his tastes of freedom with the Auld.

Significant Passages Pg. 70 “You have seen how a man was made into a slave. Now you will see how a slave was made into a man.” The most iconic lines from this narrative, Frederick proclaims that it is possible to overcome generations of oppression.

Significant Passages Pg. 70 “He had not drawn blood from me. I had drawn blood from him” This passages symbolizes Frederick’s ambition to achieve freedom and foreshadows his future as a free man.

Slave Songs in FD Two major types of songs: Religious songs: - Looking forward to heaven Working songs: - Looking forward to sunset

Slave Songs Common misconceptions about slave songs: - Why they are a beautiful - That the religious references thank God for life on Earth

Slave Songs Listen to the following songs. - What is your own reaction to the songs? - Did the beauty in the singing distract you from a message at any time? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9JaQy6wfbE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-zlSq4mWiE

Exit Ticket Explain Frederick Douglass’ perspective on slave songs.

Citing Sources When citing sources from a novel, state author name and page number. Ex. “You have seen how a man was made into a slave, now you will see how a slave was made into a man.” (Douglass 69).