Frederick Douglas: Chapters 1 and 2

Chapter I
Why is Frederick not sure when he was born? He has never seen any authentic record recording his age.
What is Frederick's last name at birth? Bailey
Why would slaveholders want to keep a slave ignorant of such a simple thing as the date of his birth? (Education) It is the wish of the masters, the masters deemed all such inquiries on the part of a slave improper and impertinent, and evidence of a restless spirit
Who were Frederick's mother and father? His mom was Harriet Bailey and he doesn't know who his dad is but is rumored to be his white slave owner.
Why does Frederick make the point that a slaveholder who has fathered a child is likely to be tougher on that child? They are constant offense to their mistress.
Why does Frederick only rarely see his mother? The were separated when he was an infant. His mother can only visit at night and she died when he was about seven years old.
Is Frederick's relationship with his mother typical of other slave children? Most slaved children are taking far distances off but his mother was twelve miles away from home
What is the role of the overseer on the plantation? He beats them a lot to keep them in line and so they don't escape.
What is the relationship of the slaveholder to the overseer to the slave on the plantation? (History) The overseer reports what he has seen around the plantation and then the slaveholder has the choice of letting the overseer find them and slash off their head.
What do we learn about Plummer, the overseer? Plummer is a drunk, a profane swearer, a savage monster, and he caries around with him a cow skin and a cudgel. He is known to cut the women's head off.
Who is Frederick's first master? Anthony
Why does Frederick tell the story of Lloyd's Ned? To inform you of how cruel and harsh he was to the slaves.

Chapter II
Who were the family members of Frederick's master Colonel Edward Lloyd? Andrew and Richard (two sons), Lucretia (daughter), and her husband Captain Thomas Auld.
What is the relationship of Colonel Lloyd to Frederick's master? The master was Colonel Lloyd's clerk and superintendent.
Was there a pecking order among slaves? Explain. The two or three hundred slaves that were on the same farm all had different jobs.
Why would a slave whose life on a plantation was very bad fear being sold to a slave-trader? On the plantation they lived on, they got a yearly allowance of food and clothing.
Why was Severe an appropriate name for the overseer? (English) He was a very cruel man.
Why is it difficult to find copies of slave songs? The slaves sang most of them and didn't write any of them down.
Why does Frederick suggest that slaves sing out of sorrow rather than out of joy? By singing the sorrows of the heart instead of joy the man is released by them.