Question

1. what is the difference in the way douglass describes the mistress at first and then how she changes?

Explanation:

In Frederick Douglass's Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, he initially portrays his mistress, Mrs. Auld, as kind, gentle, and unfamiliar with the cruel norms of slavery. She is described as willing to teach him to read, showing genuine care. Over time, however, the institution of slavery corrupts her: she becomes harsh, cruel, and enforces the brutal rules of enslavement, forbidding Douglass from learning to read and adopting the dehumanizing mindset of slaveholders.

Answer:

At first, Douglass describes his mistress (Mrs. Auld) as kind, tender, and naive to the practices of slavery—she even offers to teach him to read, treating him with basic human decency. As she is indoctrinated into the brutal system of slavery, she transforms into a harsh, cruel, and dehumanizing figure who actively prevents him from learning and embraces the violent norms of slave ownership.