My Bondage and My Freedom

by Frederick Douglass

My Bondage and My Freedom is an autobiographical slave narrative written by Frederick Douglass and published in 1855. It is the second of three autobiographies written by Douglass, and is mainly an expansion of his first (Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass), discussing in greater detail his transition from bondage to liberty. Douglass, a former slave, following his liberation went on to become a prominent abolitionist, speaker, author, and publisher.

Source: Douglass, F. (1855). My Bondage and My Freedom.London, England: Partridge and Oakey.

Editor's Preface: Editor's Preface.
Introduction: Introduction by James McCune Smith.
Chapter 1: Childhood: Mr. Douglass recounts his early childhood experiences as a slave.
Chapter 2: Removed from My First Home: Mr. Douglass taken from his first home at the direction of Col. Lloyd.
Chapter 3: Parentage: Mr. Douglass remembers his mother.
Chapter 4: A General Survey of the Slave Plantation: Mr. Douglass recalls the harsh conditions on the Lloyd Plantation.
Chapter 5: Gradual Initiation to the Mysteries of Slavery: Mr. Douglass continues to observe the relationship between master and slave.
Chapter 6: Treatment of Slaves on Lloyd's Plantation: More about life on Lloyd's Plantation.
Chapter 7: Life in the Great House: With his duties now moved to the Great House Farm, Mr. Douglass experiences another aspect of slave life.
Chapter 8: A Chapter of Horrors: Mr. Gore is more severe in his treatment of the slaves than his predecessor.
Chapter 9: Personal Treatment: Mr. Douglass remembers the kindness of Miss Lucretia.
Chapter 10: Life in Baltimore: Having been sent to Balitimore by Miss Lucretia, Mr. Douglass prepares to meet Mr. Auld.
Chapter 11: "A Change Came O'er the Spirit of My Dream": Mr. Douglass, having received some education from his master's wife, aspires to learn even more.
Chapter 12: Religious Nature Awakened: Mr. Douglass is introduced to the concept of abolition.
Chapter 13: The Vicissitudes of Slave Life: The deaths of the master and his son reminds Mr. Douglass of his powerlessness.
Chapter 14: Experience in St. Michael's: Mr. Douglass recalls life in St. Michael's in the house of Master Thomas Auld.
Chapter 15: Covey, the Negro Breaker: Mr. Douglass is sent to the home of Mr. Edward Covey "to be broken", by Master Thomas Auld.
Chapter 16: Another Pressure of the Tyrant's Vice: Mr. Douglass makes his way back to St. Michael's, hoping that Master Thomas will intervene on his behalf.
Chapter 17: The Last Flogging: Mr. Douglass returns to Mr. Covey's house, and has one last battle with the cowardly master.
Chapter 18: New Relations and Duties: A brief explanation of what the Christmas holiday means to the slave. Mr. Douglass is sent to work for Master Freeland.
Chapter 19: The Run-Away Plot: Mr. Douglass' disdain for the institution continues to grow.
Chapter 20: Apprenticeship Life: Mr. Douglass begins an apprenticeship as a ship builder.
Chapter 21: My Escape from Slavery: After living a his entire life as a slave, Mr. Douglass successfully emancipates himself.
Chapter 22: Liberty Attained: Now a fugitive slave, Mr. Douglass must be careful who he trusts.
Chapter 23: Introduced to the Abolitionists: A prominent abolitionist invites Mr. Douglass to share his experiences.
Chapter 24: Twenty One Months in Great Britain: With his newfound liberty in jeopardy, Mr. Douglass departs for Great Britain.
Chapter 25: Various Incidents: Mr. Douglass recounts the many incidents that occurred after his return from Great Britain.
Reception Speech. At Finsbury Chapel, Moorfields, England, May 12, 1846 & Dr Campbell's Reply: Reception Speech. At Finsbury Chapel, Moorfields, England, May 12, 1846 & Dr Campbell's Reply.
Letter to His Old Master. "To My Old Master, Thomas Auld.": Letter to His Old Master. "To My Old Master, Thomas Auld."
"The Nature of Slavery." Extract from a Lecture on Slavery, at Rochester, December 1, 1850: "The Nature of Slavery." Extract from a Lecture on Slavery, at Rochester, December 1, 1850.
"Inhumanity of Slavery." Extract from A Lecture on Slavery at Rochester, December 8, 1850: "Inhumanity of Slavery." Extract from A Lecture on Slavery at Rochester, December 8, 1850.
What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?. Extract from an Oration, at Rochester, July 5, 1852: "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" Extract from an Oration, at Rochester, July 5, 1852.
"The Internal Slave Trade." Extract from an Oration, at Rochester, July 5, 1852.: "The Internal Slave Trade." Extract from an Oration, at Rochester, July 5, 1852.
"The Slavery Party." Extract from a Speech Delivered before the A.A.S Society in New York, May, 1853.: "The Slavery Party." Extract from a Speech Delivered before the A.A.S Society in New York, May, 1853.
"The Anti-Slavery Movement." Extracts from a Lecture before Various Anti-Slavery Bodies, in the Winter of 1855.: "The Anti-Slavery Movement." Extracts from a Lecture before Various Anti-Slavery Bodies, in the Winter of 1855.

Year Published: 1855

Language: English

Country of Origin: United States of America

Readability:

Flesch–Kincaid Level: 10.1

Word Count: 135,256

Genre: Memoir

Keywords: 19th century literature, american literature, memoir

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