Question

read this excerpt from narrative of the life of frederick douglass.

the silver trump of freedom had roused my soul to eternal wakefulness. freedom now appeared, to disappear no more forever. it was heard in every sound, and seen in every thing. it was ever present to torment me with a sense of my wretched condition. i saw nothing without seeing it, i heard nothing without hearing it, and felt nothing without feeling it. it looked from every star, it smiled in every calm, breathed in every wind, and moved in every storm.

what inference can be drawn about douglass in this excerpt?

his new ideas are upsetting to his fellow enslaved persons.
he wants to read more about personal freedoms.
his new ideas prevent him from getting his work done.
he is unable to ignore the appeal of freedom.

Explanation:

Analyze the excerpt

The passage describes how the concept of freedom has completely taken over Douglass's thoughts and senses. He writes that freedom "was ever present to torment me with a sense of my wretched condition," and that he "saw nothing without seeing it, I heard nothing without hearing it, and felt nothing without feeling it." This intense sensory language shows that freedom is an all-consuming idea that he cannot escape or ignore.

Evaluate the options

• Option 1: "His new ideas are upsetting to his fellow enslaved persons." The text does not mention other enslaved people or their reactions to his ideas.
• Option 2: "He wants to read more about personal freedoms." While he valued reading, this specific excerpt focuses on his internal state and sensory experience of the idea of freedom, not a desire for more reading material.
• Option 3: "His new ideas prevent him from getting his work done." The text mentions his "wretched condition" and torment, but does not state that he is unable to complete his daily work.
• Option 4: "He is unable to ignore the appeal of freedom." This directly matches his description of freedom being "ever present," heard in every sound, seen in everything, and felt in every wind and storm.

Connect to mastered concepts

Using the Inference from Text and Historical Autobiography Analysis knowledge points, we can infer that Douglass's awakening to the concept of freedom has made it impossible for him to remain content or indifferent. The idea of freedom has become an inescapable force in his life, constantly reminding him of his enslavement.

Answer:

• His new ideas are upsetting to his fellow enslaved persons.
• He wants to read more about personal freedoms.
• His new ideas prevent him from getting his work done.
• He is unable to ignore the appeal of freedom. (Correct answer)