Daily Log

Wednesday, October 27

Students recorded concrete details from Chapter XI and the Appendix of Frederick D's Narrative, and we moved from that to a discussion of the Appendix's function as a defense against the charge that Douglass was hostile to religion.  Douglass, like most abolitionists, believed in fact that true religion condemned slavery and that God was on the side of the slaves and their allies.

To aid in marshalling arguments for the persuasive paper, students received a handout summarizing religious arguments both for and against slavery, and we focused on the latter (having already looked at the former).  Finally, we examined "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" as a document of militant Christian abolitionism: "As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free."

HW due Thursday:
Vocabulary assignment and vocabulary quiz.

HW due Friday:
Typed thesis statement for persuasive essay on slavery.