Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an American slave, written by himself

Preface

Introduction by John W. Blassingame

'Narrative'

Historical context:

'The doctrines and discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America': "Of slavery" (1798)

Alexander McCaine, 'Slavery defended from scripture, against the attacks of the abolitionists': Excerpt (1842)

David Walker, 'Walker's appeal to the coloured citizens of the world': Excerpt (1829)

"Insurrection of the blacks," 'Niles Weekly Register' (1831)

Samuel Miller, "Extract from a discourse delivered before the New-York Society for Promoting the Manumission of Slaves" (1797)

'Declaration of sentiments of the American Anti-Slavery Society': "Preamble" (1833)

Frederick Douglass, "I have come to tell you something about slavery" (1841)

Hugh Auld, Bill of sale manumitting Douglass (1846)

Douglass and his contemporary critics:

Anonymous, Review of the "Narrative' (1845)

Margaret Fuller, Review of the 'Narrative' (1845)

Maria Weston Chapman, Review of the 'Narrative' (1845)

A citizen of Maryland, "Gleams of light" (1845)

A.C.C. Thompson, "To tell the public.

Falsehood refuted" (1845)

Frederick Douglass, Letter to William Lloyd Garrison (1846)

Scholarly assessments:

Henry Louis Gates, Jr., 'The classic slave narratives': Excerpt (1987)

Winifred Morgan, "Gender-related difference in the slave narratives": Excerpt (1994)

William L. Andrews, 'To tell a free story': Excerpt (1986)

Robert B. Stepto, 'From behind the veil': Excerpt (1979)

Afterword by John R. McKivigan, Peter P. Hinks, and Heather L. Kaufman

Chronology

Four Maryland families

Historical annotation to the narrative.