A discussion Guide Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass The Story Behind an American Friendship by Russell Freedman
Discussion Guide
The story begins with Frederick Douglass going to the White House without an appointment to see President Lincoln. Although there were other officials and citizens present, the author notes: “Douglass was the only black man among them” (p. 1). Considering the year is 1863, when most black people in America are still enslaved and those who are free do not share the rights of white citizens, what does this action reveal about Douglass’s personality and character?
What did Douglass and Lincoln share in their backgrounds and experiences?
When Douglass is sent as a young boy to live in Baltimore, his master’s sister-in-law tries to teach him how to read, but her husband orders the lessons stopped. Why was it considered dangerous to teach slaves how to read? What would white people have to fear from literate slaves? 978-0-547-38562-4 $18.99 Rnf. / $22.95 CAN How did Douglass teach himself to read and write? How About the Book was it similar to Lincoln’s own path to literacy?
From the author of Lincoln: A Photobiography comes In what ways was The Columbian Orator an important a clear-sighted, carefully researched account of two and influential book to both Douglass and Lincoln? surprisingly parallel lives and how they intersected When Douglass stood up to Edward Covey’s brutality at a pivotal time in U.S. history. Abraham Lincoln and and fought back, why didn’t Covey subject Douglass to Frederick Douglass were both self-taught, both great the harsher punishment that would be expected for a readers and believers in the importance of literacy, rebellious slave? both men born poor who by their own efforts reached positions of power and prominence—Lincoln as Why is Douglass surprised and astonished at what president of the United States and Douglass as the happens after he is captured in his first escape attempt? most famous and influential African American of his What would you expect to happen to a slave who tried to time. Though their meetings were few and brief, their escape? exchange of ideas helped to end the Civil War, reunite the nation, and abolish slavery. What agreement does Douglass make with Master Hugh that gives him his first taste of what it would be like to live as a free man? Pre-Reading Activity Look at the illustration on the cover to the sheet music of Freedman discusses several important events in the “The Fugitive’s Song” (p. 18). How does the depiction of book of which students may have little or no knowledge. Douglass’s escape differ from reality? Why do you think Assign small groups of students to research and prepare the song publisher chose to depict Douglass’s escape this a Power Point presentation for the class on one of the way? following topics: the Missouri Compromise, the Kansas- Nebraska Act, the Dred Scott decision, the Lincoln- Douglass debates, and the Harpers Ferry raid.
Clarion Books • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt • www.hmhbooks.com A discussion Guide Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass The Story Behind an American Friendship by Russell Freedman
What expressions of racism did Douglass experience Considering the commonly held prejudices of the time, when he settled with his wife, Anna, in New Bedford, what was so unusual about the way Lincoln treated Massachusetts? Douglass?
How did Douglass find his calling as an orator? Why did so In what ways do you think the friendship between many people who attended Douglass’s lectures find it hard Douglass and Lincoln symbolized a new beginning for the to believe that he had been a slave? United States?
Why did Douglass flee to the British Isles when hisNarrative was published? How did Douglass become a legally free Post-Reading Activities man? Encourage students to explore the collection of digital Freedman writes that as a young man, Lincoln “was often resources on Frederick Douglass compiled by the Library rented out by his father to work for neighboring settlers” of Congress at www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/douglass. (p. 35). How was this similar to Douglass’s experiences as a Assign pairs or small groups of students to research slave? and prepare a Power Point presentation for the class on In what ways was Lincoln’s journey in a flatboat down the a topic related to the abolition movement. The Library Mississippi to New Orleans a formative experience? of Congress’s African-American Mosaic, www.loc.gov/ exhibits/african/intro.html, is a good place to begin. Why was Lincoln reluctant to embrace abolitionist issues as a state representative? Suggest that students read and learn more about the Emancipation Proclamation at the National Archives site, What two events regarding slavery prompted Lincoln’s reentry into politics and his campaign against Stephen www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/ Douglas for a U.S. Senate seat? Why was Lincoln alarmed emancipation_proclamation. over these two developments? When Lincoln authorized the enlistment of black soldiers How did Stephen Douglas use Frederick Douglass to attack in the Union Army, two of Douglass’s sons joined the Lincoln in the Senate campaign? Fifty-Fourth Massachusetts Regiment. Have students use print and electronic resources to research information on What was Douglass’s connection to the militant abolitionist the unit and share their findings. John Brown and the raid on the Harpers Ferry arsenal? Why was a warrant issued for Douglass’s arrest?
What was it about Lincoln’s position on the war and enlisting black soldiers that disappointed Douglass?
What changed Douglass’s attitude toward Lincoln and made him an admirer of the president?
When Douglass went to the White House to meet with Lincoln, what surprising reception did he receive? What impressions did each man have of the other after meeting?
How did Lincoln’s views on slavery evolve over time, from the beginning of his political career and throughout his presidency up to the time of his assassination? What influence do you think Douglass had on Lincoln’s evolving views?
Clarion Books • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt • www.hmhbooks.com A discussion Guide Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass The Story Behind an American Friendship by Russell Freedman
Recommended Further Reading on Lincoln, About the Author Douglass, and Slavery Russell Freedman has won nearly every award given to Fiction writers of nonfiction for children, including the Newbery Medal for Lincoln: A Photobiography, several Newbery Anderson, Laurie Halse. Chains. Honors, the Sibert Medal, the Orbis Pictus Award, the Simon & Schuster, 2008. Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker. Jefferson’s Sons. Award for Lifetime Achievement, the May Hill Arbuthnot Dial, 2011. Honor Lecture Award, and a National Humanities Medal. Formerly a journalist and Korean War veteran who served Lester, Julius. Day of Tears. Hyperion, 2005. with the Second Infantry Division, Mr. Freedman is the author of some fifty books for young readers. He lives in Moses, Shelia P. I, Dred Scott: A Fictional Slave New York City and travels widely to do the research for Narrative Based on the Life and Legal his books.
Precedent of Dred Scott. Illus. Bonnie Christensen. McElderry, 2005.
Paulsen, Gary. Nightjohn. Delacorte, 1993.
Nonfiction
Burchard, Peter. Lincoln and Slavery. Atheneum, 1999.
Freedman, Russell. Lincoln: A Photobiography. Clarion, 1987.
Lester, Julius. To Be a Slave. Illus. Tom Feelings. Dial, 1968.
Meltzer, Milton. Frederick Douglass: In His Own Words. Illus. Stephen Alcorn. Harcourt, 1995.
—Lincoln in His Own Words. Illus. Stephen This guide was created by Edward T. Sullivan, a librarian Alcorn. Harcourt, 1993. and author who has written many articles about and reviews of children’s and young adult books. Visit his website at www.sully-writer.com.
Clarion Books • Houghton Mifflin Harcourt • www.hmhbooks.com