Question
forever was painful beyond expression. [ . . .] The thought of leaving my
friends was decidedly the most painful thought with which I had to contend. The
love of them was my tender point, and shook my decision more than all things
else. Besides the pain of separation, the dread and apprehension of a failure
exceeded what I had experienced at my first attempt. The appalling defeat I
then sustained returned to torment me. I felt assured that, if I failed in this
attempt, my case would be a hopeless one-it would seal my fate as a slave
forever. I could not hope to get off with anything less than the severest
punishment, and being placed beyond the méans of escape.
It required no very vivid imagination to depict the most frightful scenes through
which I should have to pass, in case I failed. The wretchedness of slavery, and
the blessedness of freedom, were perpetually before me. It was life and death
with me. But I remained firm, and, according to my resolution, on the third day
of September, 1838, I left my chains, and succeeded in reaching New York
without the slightest interruption of any kind. How I did so, - what means I
adopted, -what direction I traveled, and by what mode of conveyance,
- I must
leave unexplained [ .
• ].
From Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
What Is this passage mainly about?
It is about the friends and relatives who tried to persuade Douglass not to run
away.
It is about the people and organizations who offered to help Douglass on his
journey.
It is about Douglass's thoughts and actions prior to his escape.
It is about how Master Hugh and Mr. Butler tried to prevent Douglass from
escaping.
Answer
This passage is mainly about Douglass's thoughts and actions prior to his escape from slavery.