Question 6·Hard·Central Ideas and Details
The following text is adapted from Frederick Douglass’s 1845 autobiography Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. In this passage, Douglass describes how his mistress’s demeanor changed after her husband forbade her to teach Douglass to read.
Slavery soon proved its ability to divest her of those heavenly qualities. Under its blighting influence, the tender heart became stone, and the lamb-like disposition gave way to that of a tiger. The first step in her downward course was in interdicting the teaching of her slave; from that moment she was no longer content to refrain from benevolent acts—she must now practice cruelty. The whisper of kindly caution became the harsh tone of command; the helping hand stiffened into a clenched fist; and the light of sympathy that once dwelt in her eye was quenched forever. Thus did slavery, even more than iron fetters, bind her very soul.
Which statement best expresses the central idea of the passage?
For central idea questions, first quickly paraphrase in your own words what the passage is mostly about—look especially at the first and last sentences and any repeated or strongly contrasted descriptions. Then, compare your paraphrase to each answer choice, eliminating options that add new information, focus on minor details, or discuss parts of the story not covered in the excerpt. Finally, choose the option that best captures both the main subject and what the author says about that subject, not just a true detail from the text.
Hints
Use the first and last sentences
Reread the first and last sentences of the paragraph. What does Douglass say that slavery does to his mistress?
Track the before-and-after descriptions
Focus on the phrases that describe her "tender heart" and "lamb-like disposition" and then the later images like "stone," "tiger," and "clenched fist." What overall change do these images show?
Check what the passage focuses on
Ask yourself: is this paragraph mainly about what Douglass wants, how the husband feels, how the household runs, or what happens to the mistress’s personality under slavery?
Eliminate options that add new information
Look for choices that mention events or motives that are not described in this paragraph (for example, secret actions or attempts to keep peace). Those are likely not the central idea.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify who and what the passage is mainly about
Focus on the description in the passage: Douglass is talking about his mistress and how her demeanor changed after she stopped teaching him. So the central idea should be about her transformation, not mainly about Douglass or the husband.
Underline the key description of the change
Look at the contrast in the middle of the paragraph:
- "the tender heart became stone"
- "the lamb-like disposition gave way to that of a tiger"
- "she must now practice cruelty"
- "the light of sympathy that once dwelt in her eye was quenched forever" These phrases clearly show that she goes from kind and gentle to hard and cruel.
Notice what Douglass says caused this change
Check the first and last sentences:
- "Slavery soon proved its ability to divest her of those heavenly qualities. Under its blighting influence…"
- "Thus did slavery, even more than iron fetters, bind her very soul." Douglass repeats that slavery is what stripped away her good qualities and affected her soul. So the central idea must connect her moral change to slavery’s influence.
Match your understanding to the answer choices
Now compare this idea with the options:
- One option claims she continues teaching in secret—this conflicts with the passage, which shows her stopping and becoming cruel.
- Another focuses on Douglass’s own desire to learn—this is not the main focus of the paragraph.
- Another says she obeys to keep household peace—the passage never mentions that motive.
- The remaining option states that slavery corrupts the mistress’s character, turning her former kindness into cruelty, which matches the descriptions and Douglass’s explanation. So that is the best answer.