Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass · Chapter
Chapter IX explained
Douglass recounts his move to St.
What happens
Douglass recounts his move to St. Michael's in March 1832 to live with Master Thomas Auld, where he experiences severe hunger and cruel treatment. He describes Thomas Auld's meanness, his conversion to Methodism which only made him more cruel, and his brutal whipping of a lame young woman named Henny. Douglass also notes the failed Sabbath school and his eventual hiring out to the notorious 'nigger-breaker' Edward Covey.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This chapter marks the dramatic climax because it captures the emotional and psychological peak of Douglass’s…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Hypocrisy of Christian Slaveholders
Thomas Auld's conversion to Methodism made him more cruel, using scripture to justify whipping Henny.
- Dehumanization of Slavery
Henny is treated as a 'bill of expense' and set adrift to starve due to her disability.
- Family Separation and Loss
Douglass is separated from his Baltimore life and forced to live with a cruel master, experiencing hunger again.
- Resistance and Agency
Douglass and other slaves refuse to call Thomas Auld 'master,' subtly resisting his authority.
Characters to notice
- Captain Thomas Auld
Douglass's new master in St. Michael's; mean, cruel, and hypocritical; his religious conversion made him more brutal.
- Hugh Auld
Previous master in Baltimore; Douglass contrasts the sufficient food there with the starvation at Thomas Auld's.
- Edward Covey
Hired to break Douglass; known as a 'nigger-breaker' and a pious Methodist class-leader.
- Henry Bailey
Mentioned as one of the slaves in the kitchen with Douglass.
- Sophia Auld
Wife of Hugh Auld; referenced indirectly through the contrast of living conditions.
- William Hamilton
Master Thomas Auld's father-in-law; his farm provided Douglass with enough to eat.
- George Cookman
A minister loved by the slaves; believed to be sympathetic and instrumental in emancipation.
- Samuel Harrison
Rich slaveholder who emancipated his slaves, possibly influenced by Mr. Cookman.
Key passages
“I have now reached a period of my life when I can give dates. I left Baltimore, and went to live with Master Thomas Auld, at St. Michael's, in March, 1832.”
Douglass begins to provide specific dates, noting his move to St. Michael's in March 1832.
This marks a shift in the narrative to more precise chronology.
“He that knoweth his master's will, and doeth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes.”
Thomas Auld quotes a Bible verse to justify whipping a lame young woman.
Highlights the hypocritical use of religion to sanction cruelty.
“Master Thomas at length said he would stand it no longer. ... He resolved to put me out, as he said, to be broken; and, for this purpose, he let me for one year to a man named Edward Covey.”
Thomas Auld decides to hire Douglass out to Edward Covey, a notorious 'nigger-breaker.'
Sets up the next phase of Douglass's enslavement.
