Question

Read this excerpt from "My Bondage and My Freedom" by Frederick Douglass.

She had bread for the hungry, clothes for the naked, and comfort for every mourner that came within her reach. Slavery soon proved its ability to divest her of these excellent qualities, and her home of its early happiness. Conscience cannot stand much violence. Once thoroughly broken down, who is he that can repair the damage? It may be broken toward the slave, on Sunday, and toward the master on Monday. It cannot endure such shocks. It must stand entire, or it does not stand at all. If my condition waxed bad, that of the family waxed not better. The first step, in the wrong direction, was the violence done to nature and to conscience, in arresting the benevolence that would have enlightened my young mind.

Which of the following sentences best describes Douglass’s opinion about slavery?

A.) Slavery degrades the slaveholder by killing his or her conscience.
B.) Slavery prevents slave children from reaching their potential.
C.) Slavery is degrading to both the slaveholder and the enslaved.
D.) Slavery makes even the kindest people cruel and heartless

Answer 1

The correct answer is C

Answer 2

The correct answer is that C.) Slavery is degrading to both the slaveholder and the enslaved. Douglass wants to say that slavery is bad for both the slaver and the slave, because it will make the slaver want more and more power, and thus he will lose all of his virtues and good qualities he had prior to being a slaver. On the other hand, the slave will constantly be humiliated and tortured, which can rarely led to keeping your virtues.