Reading -Tone of the First Paragraph: Exasperated

 

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Tone of the First Paragraph: Exasperated

In the first paragraph, Frederick Douglass asks questions like:

• “Why am I called upon to speak here today?”
• “What have I to do with your national independence?”
• “Are the great principles of freedom extended to us?”

These questions show:

• Frustration
• Annoyance
• Feeling that something is unfair
• Feeling that he is being asked to celebrate something that does not include him (as a Black man enslaved/non-free at the time)

This emotional tone fits exasperated, which means:

👉 Feeling irritated, frustrated, or fed up.

❌ Why the other choices are wrong:

Resigned

Means giving up or accepting something unwillingly. Douglass is NOT accepting—he is questioning strongly.

Contemplative

Means thoughtful or reflective. The paragraph is not calm, it is emotional.

Nonchalant

Means casual or unconcerned. Douglass is clearly very concerned and upset.