Why would Douglass avoid giving the names of the boys who taught him to read? Why does Douglass find this statement ironic: "It is almost an unpardonable offence to teach slaves to read in this Christian country."

For fear of retaliation against them.

Explanation:

Douglas wouldn't want fot the boys who taught him how to read to get in trouble on his behalf. He was afraid that they would be repremended or punished for having taught him how to read.