Frederick Douglass Summary

A common use for Storyboard That is to help students create a plot diagram of the events from a story. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of the plot, but it reinforces major events and help students develop greater understanding of literary structures.

Students can create a storyboard capturing the narrative arc in a work with a six-cell storyboard containing the major parts of the plot diagram. For each cell, have students create a scene that follows the story in sequence using: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.

Frederick Douglass Plot Diagram Example

Exposition

Douglass is born sometime around 1818 and grows up as a slave on cruel plantation in Maryland. He sees his mother a handful of times before she dies, and he grows up hungry, cold, and unloved.

Conflict

Douglass is enslaved for life and becomes increasingly unhappy about this reality.

Rising Action

At a young age. Douglass is transferred to the family of Hugh Auld in Baltimore where he learns to read and develops a hatred of slavery. Due to a series of deaths and inheritances, Douglass is moved back and forth between Baltimore and various other locations, eventually ending up under the ownership of Thomas Auld in St. Michael’s, Maryland.

Climax

The turning point in Douglass's life occurs when he fights back against the vicious slave breaker Edward Covey. By standing up for himself, Douglass gains a sense of self-respect and an increased desire for freedom.

Falling Action

Douglass plans to escape from Mr. Freeland but is betrayed and imprisoned. Eventually he ends up back with Hugh Auld in Baltimore. Here he works as a ship caulker and earns a small amount of money he hopes to use in a second escape attempt.

Resolution

Eventually, in 1838, Douglass succeeds in escaping to New York City. He marries Anna Murray, a free woman who followed him north from Baltimore, and begins his life as a free man.