Douglass describes the setting of the Great House Farm in detail. What is his reason for doing so?

Douglass wants the reader to understand what life was like on the Great House Farm, and how it changed over the course of his time there. He remembers the songs, understands their meaning, and ties those songs to the reality of the slave's life.

He describes how the actual slave and his master might never meet, that the expanse of the farm was so great slaves might go their entire lives without even knowing what the master looked like. Unconcern? Possibly, but more likely that they simply had others to tend to their slaves........ and when a chance happening might occur........ the slave might very well get himself into trouble Example; the slave who met his master on the road.