Chapter I
I was born in Tuckahoe, near Hillsborough, and about twelve miles from Easton, in Talbot county, Maryland. I have no accurate knowledge of my age, never having seen any authentic record containing it. By far the larger part of the slaves know as little of their ages as horses know of theirs, and it is the wish of most masters within my knowledge to keep their slaves thus ignorant. I do not remember to have ever met a slave who could tell of his birthday. They seldom come nearer to it than planting-time, harvest-time, cherry-time, spring-time, or fall-time. A want of information concerning my own was a source of unhappiness to me even during childhood. The while children could tell their ages.
I could not tell why I ought to be deprived of the same privilege. 1 was not allowed to make any inquiries of my master concerning it. He deemed all such inquiries on the part of a slave improper and impertinent, and evidence of a restless spirit. The nearest estimate I can give makes me now between twenty-seven and twenty-eight years of age. 1 conic to this, from hearing my master say. sometime during 1835.1 was about seventeen years old.
My mother was named Harriet Bailey. She was the daughter of Isaac and Betsey Bailey, both colored, and quite dark. My mother was of a darker complexion than either my grandmother or grandfather.
My father was a white man. He was admitted to be such by all I ever heard speak of my parentage. The opinion was also whispered that my master was my father; but of the correctness of this opinion. I know nothing; the means of lenowing was withheld from me. My mother and I were separated when 1 was but an infant - before I knew her as my mother. It is a common custom, in the part of Maryland from which I ran away, to part children from their mothers al a very early age. Frequently, before the child has reached its twelfth month, its mother is taken from it, and hired out on some farm a considerable distance off. and the child is placed under the care of an old woman, too old for held labor. For what this separation is done, I do not know, unless it be to hinder the development of the child's affection toward its mother, and to blunt and destroy the natural affection of the mother for the child.
This is the inevitable result.
1 never saw my mother, to know her as such, more than four or five times in my life; and each of these times was very short in duration, and at night. She was hired by a Mr. Stewart, who lived about twelve miles from my home. She made her journeys to sec me in die night, travelling the whole distance on foot, after the performance of her day’s work. She was a field hand, and a whipping is the penalty of not being in the field at sunrise, unless a slave has special permission from his or her master to the contrary—a permission which they seldom get, and one that gives to him that gives it the proud name of being a kind master. I do not recollect of ever seeing my mother by the light of day. She was with me in the night. She would lie down with me, and get me to sleep, but long before I waked she was gone. Very little communication ever took place between us. Death soon ended what little we could have while she lived, and with it her hardships and suffering. She died when I was about seven years old, on one of my master's farms, near Lee's Mill. I was not allowed to be present during her illness, at her death, or burial.
She was gone long before I knew anything about it. Never having enjoyed, to any considerable extent, her soothing presence, her tender and watchful care, I received the tidings of her death with much the same emotions I should have probably fell at the death of a stranger.
Questions:
1. How did Douglass feel about not knowing his age?
2. Why did Frederick Douglass not know who his father was, and why was there speculation that his master might have been his father?
3. What references to racism did Douglass make in his writing?
4. . How did Douglass feel about his mother's passing?
5. How do you think Douglass’s early experiences shaped his views on slavery?
How did Douglass feel about not knowing his age?Douglass felt unhappy about not knowing his age. He felt deprived of the same privilege that other children had, which was the ability to know their birthdays. This lack of knowledge about his age was a source of unhappiness for him even during childhood.
Why did Frederick Douglass not know who his father was, and why was there speculation that his master might have been his father?Douglass did not know who his father was because the means of knowing this information were withheld from him. There was speculation that his master might have been his father, but Douglass did not know if this speculation was correct, as he had no way of confirming it. The secrecy surrounding his parentage left him without clarity on this matter.
What references to racism did Douglass make in his writing?Douglass referenced racism through the systematic separation of children from their mothers in slavery. He described how mothers were often hired out at a distance, leaving their children behind with elderly women. This practice served to destroy the natural affection between mother and child, showing a cruel and dehumanizing practice rooted in racism. He also mentioned the assumption that his father was a white man, pointing to the racial divide in his lineage and the social implications of such an identity.
How did Douglass feel about his mother's passing?Douglass felt distant and emotionally detached from his mother's passing. Since he had very little time with her, he received the news of her death with the same emotions he might have felt at the death of a stranger. He never had the opportunity to truly bond with her due to the separation enforced by slavery, which made her death less impactful for him at the time.
How do you think Douglass’s early experiences shaped his views on slavery?Douglass’s early experiences shaped his views on slavery by demonstrating the cruelty and inhumanity inherent in the system. The forced separation from his mother, lack of knowledge about his age, and the emotional detachment from his family were all experiences that highlighted the dehumanizing effects of slavery. These formative experiences likely contributed to his later resolve to fight against slavery and advocate for freedom, as they exposed him to the profound injustices and suffering that slavery caused to individuals and families.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Where was the author born?
a) Hillsborough
b) Easton
c) Tuckahoe
d) Talbot
Answer: c) Tuckahoe
What was the author’s age when he wrote this?
a) 27-28 years old
b) 30-31 years old
c) 25-26 years old
d) 35-36 years old
Answer: a) 27-28 years old
Why did the author not know his exact age?
a) His birth certificate was lost
b) Slaves were kept ignorant about their age
c) His parents didn't tell him
d) His master did not want him to know
Answer: b) Slaves were kept ignorant about their age
What did the author’s mother do for work?
a) Housemaid
b) A field hand
c) A teacher
d) A cook
Answer: b) A field hand
Why did the author’s mother visit him at night?
a) She worked during the day
b) She had permission to see him only at night
c) She was afraid of her master
d) She had no choice but to visit at night
Answer: a) She worked during the day
What happened to the author’s mother?
a) She ran away with him
b) She died when he was seven years old
c) She was freed
d) She was sold to another master
Answer: b) She died when he was seven years old
What was the custom in Maryland regarding slave children?
a) Children were raised by their mothers
b) Children were separated from their mothers at an early age
c) Children were given a choice to live with their mother or not
d) Children stayed with their mothers until they were 10 years old
Answer: b) Children were separated from their mothers at an early age
What is the likely reason for separating children from their mothers early?
a) To teach children independence
b) To destroy the natural affection between mother and child
c) To make mothers more productive
d) To keep mothers busy at work
Answer: b) To destroy the natural affection between mother and child
How did the author feel when he learned of his mother’s death?
a) Sad and emotional
b) Shocked and angry
c) Like the death of a stranger
d) Relieved
Answer: c) Like the death of a stranger
Who was believed to be the author’s father?
a) His mother’s husband
b) His master
c) His uncle
d) His grandfather
Answer: b) His master
Short Answer Questions with Elaborate Answers
Where was the author born, and what is significant about his birthplace?The author was born in Tuckahoe, near Hillsborough, in Talbot County, Maryland. This location is significant because it is where the author spent much of his early life as a slave. It also represents a typical rural area where slavery was common.
Why didn’t the author know his exact age?The author didn’t know his exact age because, as a slave, he was kept ignorant about such personal details. Slave owners often made sure their slaves didn’t have access to birth records or any personal information that would give them a sense of individuality or rights.
How did the author describe the relationship between slave children and their mothers?The author described that slave children were often separated from their mothers at a very early age, sometimes before they could even recognize their mothers. This separation was intentional, meant to weaken the bond of affection between mother and child, making it easier for the system of slavery to operate.
What were the conditions of the author's visits with his mother?The author’s visits with his mother were rare and brief. His mother worked as a field hand, and after finishing her daily work, she traveled long distances to see him at night. These visits were short, and the author never got to know his mother well, as she would leave before he woke up.
What was the emotional impact of the author's separation from his mother?The emotional impact was significant. The early separation caused a lack of connection between the author and his mother, and when she passed away, he felt little emotion, almost as if a stranger had died. This shows the deep emotional toll that slavery took on both slaves and their families.
How did the author react to the news of his mother’s death?When the author learned of his mother’s death, he felt indifferent, much like how he might have felt about the death of a stranger. He had never formed a strong emotional bond with her due to the early separation, and as a result, he did not feel the loss deeply.
What was the role of the master in the author’s life?The author’s master played a significant role in his life, especially in keeping him ignorant of personal details like his birthdate. There is also an implication that the master might have been the author’s father, though this was never confirmed.
Why did the author refer to his mother’s work as "field work"?The term "field work" refers to the labor slaves performed on farms, typically involving hard, manual labor such as planting, harvesting, and other agricultural tasks. The author’s mother, like many other slaves, worked in the fields.
Why did the author say he never saw his mother by day?The author never saw his mother during the day because she worked long hours in the fields, starting at sunrise. After completing her labor, she would visit him at night. This schedule prevented them from spending time together during daylight hours.
What was the custom regarding children and their mothers in the area where the author lived?The custom in the author’s area was to separate children from their mothers at an early age. This separation was cruel, as it prevented children from bonding with their mothers, and it also hindered the development of natural affection between them, making it easier for the system of slavery to continue.
Bangla Translation
বাংলা অনুবাদঃ
প্রথম অধ্যায়
আমি হিলসবোরোর কাছে, টাকাহোতে এবং ইস্টন থেকে প্রায় বারো মাইল দূরে, মেরিল্যান্ডের ট্যালবট কাউন্টিতে জন্মগ্রহণ করেছি। আমার বয়স সম্পর্কে আমার কোন সঠিক জ্ঞান নেই, আমি কখনও এটি সম্বলিত কোন খাঁটি রেকর্ড দেখিনি। এখনও পর্যন্ত দাসদের একটি বড় অংশ তাদের বয়স সম্পর্কে ঘোড়াদের মতোই কম জানে, এবং আমার জ্ঞানের মধ্যে বেশিরভাগ প্রভুর ইচ্ছা তাদের দাসদের এতটা অজ্ঞ রাখা। আমি কখনও এমন কোনও দাসের সাথে দেখা করেছি বলে মনে করি না যে তার জন্মদিন সম্পর্কে বলতে পারে। তারা খুব কমই রোপণের সময়, ফসল কাটার সময়, চেরি-সময়, বসন্ত-সময় বা শরৎকালের চেয়ে এর কাছাকাছি আসে। আমার নিজের সম্পর্কে তথ্যের অভাব শৈশবেও আমার জন্য অসুখের কারণ ছিল। যখন শিশুরা তাদের বয়স বলতে পারত।
আমি বলতে পারিনি কেন আমাকে একই সুযোগ থেকে বঞ্চিত করা উচিত। আমাকে আমার প্রভুর কাছে এটি সম্পর্কে কোনও জিজ্ঞাসা করার অনুমতি ছিল না। তিনি একজন দাসের পক্ষ থেকে এই ধরণের সমস্ত জিজ্ঞাসাকে অনুচিত এবং অভদ্র বলে মনে করেছিলেন, এবং একটি অস্থির আত্মার প্রমাণ বলে মনে করেছিলেন। আমার বয়স এখন সাতাশ থেকে আঠাশ বছরের মধ্যে। আমার মাস্টারের কথা শুনে আমার বয়স প্রায় সতেরো বছর। ১৮৩৫ সালের কোন এক সময়। আমার বয়স তখন প্রায় সতেরো বছর।
আমার মায়ের নাম ছিল হ্যারিয়েট বেইলি। তিনি ছিলেন আইজ্যাক এবং বেটসি বেইলির কন্যা, দুজনেরই বর্ণ ছিল এবং বেশ কালো ছিল। আমার মা আমার দাদী বা দাদার চেয়েও কালো রঙের ছিলেন।
আমার বাবা ছিলেন একজন শ্বেতাঙ্গ। আমার পিতৃপুরুষের কথা শুনে যতজন শুনেছেন, সকলেই তাকে এমনই বলে স্বীকার করেছেন। মতামতও কানে কানে শোনা গিয়েছিল যে আমার মাস্টারই আমার বাবা; কিন্তু এই মতামতের সঠিকতা সম্পর্কে। আমি কিছুই জানি না; আমার কাছ থেকে শ্বেতাঙ্গদের ত্যাগ করার উপায় গোপন রাখা হয়েছিল। আমি যখন শিশু ছিলাম তখন আমার মা এবং আমি আলাদা হয়ে গিয়েছিলাম - আমি তাকে আমার মা হিসেবে চিনতে পারার আগে। মেরিল্যান্ডের যে অংশ থেকে আমি পালিয়ে এসেছিলাম, সেখানে খুব অল্প বয়সেই বাচ্চাদের তাদের মায়ের কাছ থেকে আলাদা করা একটি সাধারণ রীতি। প্রায়শই, শিশুটি দ্বাদশ মাসে পৌঁছানোর আগেই, তার মাকে সেখান থেকে কেড়ে নেওয়া হয় এবং অনেক দূরে কোনও খামারে ভাড়া করা হয়। এবং শিশুটিকে একজন বৃদ্ধা মহিলার তত্ত্বাবধানে রাখা হয়, যিনি শ্রমের জন্য এত বৃদ্ধা। এই বিচ্ছেদ কেন করা হয়, আমি জানি না, যদি না এটি মায়ের প্রতি শিশুর স্নেহের বিকাশকে বাধাগ্রস্ত করে এবং সন্তানের প্রতি মায়ের স্বাভাবিক স্নেহকে ভোঁতা করে এবং ধ্বংস করে।
এটাই অনিবার্য ফলাফল।
আমি জীবনে চার-পাঁচবারের বেশি আমার মাকে দেখিনি, তাকে এইভাবে চিনতে পারিনি; এবং এই সময়গুলির প্রতিটি সময়কাল খুব কম ছিল, এবং রাতেও। আমার বাড়ি থেকে প্রায় বারো মাইল দূরে বসবাসকারী একজন মিস্টার স্টুয়ার্ট তাকে ভাড়া করেছিলেন। তিনি রাতে আমাকে খুঁজে বের করার জন্য তার যাত্রা করেছিলেন, তার দিনের কাজ শেষ করার পরে পুরো দূরত্ব পায়ে হেঁটে ভ্রমণ করেছিলেন। তিনি একজন ক্ষেতের কর্মী ছিলেন, এবং সূর্যোদয়ের সময় ক্ষেতে না থাকার শাস্তি হল চাবুক মারা, যদি না একজন দাস তার মালিকের কাছ থেকে বিশেষ অনুমতি পায় - এমন অনুমতি যা তারা খুব কমই পায়, এবং এমন অনুমতি যা তাকে দেয় যা তাকে একজন দয়ালু প্রভু হওয়ার গর্বিত নাম দেয়। দিনের আলোয় আমার মাকে কখনও দেখার কথা আমার মনে নেই। রাতে সে আমার সাথেই থাকত। সে আমার সাথেই শুয়ে আমাকে ঘুম পাড়িয়ে দিত, কিন্তু আমি ঘুম থেকে ওঠার অনেক আগেই সে চলে যেত। আমাদের মধ্যে খুব কম যোগাযোগই হত। মৃত্যুর ফলে আমরা যতটুকু বেঁচে ছিলাম, তার সবই শেষ হয়ে গেল, তার সাথে তার কষ্ট ও কষ্টও। আমার বয়স যখন প্রায় সাত বছর, লি'স মিলের কাছে আমার মালিকের খামারে। তার অসুস্থতার সময়, তার মৃত্যুতে বা সমাধিস্থলে আমাকে উপস্থিত থাকতে দেওয়া হয়নি।
আমি কিছু জানার আগেই সে চলে গেল। তার প্রশান্তিদায়ক উপস্থিতি, তার কোমল ও সতর্ক যত্ন, আমি তার মৃত্যুর খবর ঠিক একই আবেগের সাথে পেয়েছি যা সম্ভবত একজন অপরিচিত ব্যক্তির মৃত্যুতে আমার অনুভূত হওয়া উচিত ছিল।
vocabulary words from the text with their meanings in Bangla:
Accurate - সঠিক
Authentic - আসল
Adversities - দুর্দশা
Inhibition - প্রতিবন্ধকতা
Privilege - অধিকার
Improper - অনুচিত
Impertinent - অবহেলাকারী
Estimate - অনুমান
Deprived - বঞ্চিত
Affection - স্নেহ
Journey - যাত্রা
Guardians - অভিভাবকরা
Persuaded - রাজি করানো
Motivators - উদ্বুদ্ধকারী
Overcome - অতিক্রম করা
Seldom - বিরল
Privilege - বিশেষাধিকার
Tidings - সংবাদ
Recollected - স্মরণ করা
Whispered - ফিসফিসানো
Hindered - বাধাগ্রস্ত
Soothing - শান্তিদায়ক
Hardships - কষ্ট
Suffering - যন্ত্রণা
Separation - বিচ্ছেদ
Custom - রীতি
Discipline - শৃঙ্খলা
Slaves - দাসেরা
Field hand - মাঠের কর্মী
Penalties - শাস্তি
Indifferent - উদাসীন
Oblivious - অজ্ঞ
Unhappiness - দুঃখ
Emotions - আবেগ
Recognized - চিহ্নিত
Harsh - কঠোর
Neglect - অবহেলা
Journey - ভ্রমণ
Discomfort - অস্বস্তি
Mistreatment - অপব্যবহার
Ad
Ad
Comments