Read this excerpt from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.
Mr. and Mrs. Auld were both at home, and met me at the door with their little son Thomas, to take care of whom I had been given. And here I saw what I had never seen before; it was a white face beaming with the most kindly emotions; it was the face of my new mistress, Sophia Auld. I wish I could describe the rapture that flashed through my soul as I beheld it. It was a new and strange sight to me, brightening up my pathway with the light of happiness. Little Thomas was told, there was his Freddy, – and I was told to take care of little Thomas; and thus I entered upon the duties of my new home with the most cheering prospect ahead.
Which of these is a true statement about expectations of enslaved people in Douglass’s time?
They were treated kindly on most plantations, and they learned to expect fairness. They were considered equals on many plantations, and they strived to earn decent pay.
They were accustomed to harsh treatment, and they were surprised by kindness from authority figures.
They were treated cruelly by their masters, and they were frightened of all new people.
They were accustomed to harsh ....is the answer. In the excerpt, Frederick Douglass is surprised to see a kind gesture from a white person, even if it is just a child because he is so used to being treated badly. Seeing an innocent face cheered him up.
