Question

Thousands would escape but for the strong cords of affection that bind them to their friends

what is the meaning of the figurative language in this passage?
A the friends and families of enslaved people often tried to prevent from escaping.
B the love and friendship between enslaved people made the decision to attempt escape from difficult.
C despite all logic, enslaved people often felt as through slaveholders were their freinds which kept them from trying to escape
D because slaveholders looked out for one other an enslaved who escaped was always in danger from being cought and returend to bondage

Answer 1

The passage's figurative language emphasizes the powerful emotional bonds that often deterred enslaved individuals from attempting escape, despite their yearnings for freedom. The 'strong cords of affection' for friends and family created a significant emotional barrier to self-emancipation and underscored the complex considerations that influenced the decision to escape or stay.

Step-by-step explanation:

The figurative language in the passage emphasizes the strong cords of affection that often hindered the self-emancipation efforts of enslaved African Americans. The quote from Frederick Douglass indicates that the bonds of love and friendship within enslaved communities were significant factors that made it difficult for many to attempt escape. Despite the harsh realities of slavery and the desire for freedom, family ties and relationships often anchored individuals, influencing their decisions to stay in bondage to avoid the pain of permanent separation from loved ones.

Family and kinship ties played a complex role in the context of escape and freedom. While the threat of being permanently separated from family members did propel some to flee, the decision to escape from slavery was fraught with the emotional turmoil of leaving family behind. Many enslaved people decided to run away alone due to the heightened risks of family flight, while others employed strategies such as staged escapes or being aided by abolitionists to reunite later on. The desire to maintain these familial bonds and the potential torment of never seeing loved ones again weighed heavily on those who sought liberty.