Douglass Paper Questions
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In parts of Maryland, slave mothers were customarily separated from their babies. To Frederick Bailey, why was this done?
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Frederick Bailey did not know why it was done unless to "hinder the development of the child's affection toward its mother, and to blunt and destroy the batural affection of the mother for the child" (42)
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A mulatto is a person who is part black and part white. Prove that Frederick Bailey was a mulatto by identifying his parents. Identify/Who = more than a name.
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Frederick's mother was Harriet Bailey, the daughter of Isaac and Betsy Bailey. His father was a white man and there were rumors that his master was his father, but Frederick neither confirms nor denies that. (42)
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As a mulatto, why was Frederick legally a slave?
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Slaveholders ordained a law that the children of slave women shall in all cases follow the condition of their mothers (43)
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Though they lived in different places, what contact did Frederick have with his mother?
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Frederick's mother was bought by a Mr. Stewart after Frederick was born, and even though she lived twelve miles away she walked the whole distance after a day's work to be with Frederick. (43)
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What did Frederick and his mother do while they were together?
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She would lie down with him and get him to sleep, but would leave long before his was awake (43)
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How old was Frederick when his mother died
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Frederick was seven years old when his mother died (43)
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WHY was a slave owner's wife (his mistress) usually pleased when mulatto slaves were lashed?
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"They are, in the first place, a constance offence to their mistress. She is ever disposed to find fault with them; they can seldom do anything to please her," (43) Because the wives believed that their husbands were showing favoritism toward his other children. (43)
