Free to Learn
In this excerpt titled "Leaning to Read and Write," from Frederick Douglass' autobiography, The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, there is a definite literal and figurative connection between literacy and freedom. In this passage, Douglass tells us that when he learned how to read, he became more fascinated in the concept of freedom, because he found out that it was a wonderful thing that all people should have. Most slave owners during that time did not want their slaves to become educated either, so this obstacle made it very difficult for him. He began to learn at a young age and through many different methods like trickery and bribery, he learned how to read and write. Douglass began his literary journey as a young boy. He first explains to us that his mistress first taught him the alphabet when he was a young boy. These lessons quickly ended on account of his master, Master Hugh. Hugh believed, like many other slaveholders of that time, that slaves were better off not being able to read or write. This "handicap", made them less of a threat, and also easier to control. Without the ability to read or write, slaves did not know what was happening half of the time, because t
don't realize the truth about the world they live in. After having this "epiphany", he begins to look at everything differently than before, and also begins to wonder if he would be better off dead. He soon realizes that he hears some of the same words over and over again, one of which is abolition. After finding out what this word meant, and about the growing opposition to slavery in the North, he becomes motivated to finish the second half of his quest, learning to write. He starts off by reading and copying the letters he sees written on the lumber at a local shipyard. Then he begins to challenge other boys to writing contests, not to try and win of course, but to learn their knowledge. Despite the efforts of his master, Douglass never gave in to slavery. "Hugh sent him to work for Edward Covey, a 'slave breaker' who specialized in shattering the spirit of rebellious slaves. Covey had Douglass beaten daily for the slightest violation of impossibly strict rules. Af! As Douglass suggests, there is a both a literal and figurative connection between literacy and freedom. In "Learning to Read and Write," Douglass explains it mostly in the literal sense by using his newfound knowledge to learn about freedom from slavery. Also, he talks about how his fellow slaves don't know what is happening around them. This is more of the figurative sense with the concept of "freeing" someone's mind. Either way, literacy equals freedom in my mind. ter nearly six months Frederick resisted Covey, wrestling hi
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1022
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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