Analysis Of Learning To Read And Write By Frederick Douglass

Historical Context Analysis on “Learning to Read and Write” Unlike any other African American, “Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey” known as, Frederick Douglass who wrote “Learning to Read and Write” was well ahead of most slaves due to his given opportunity, but the gift of reading and writing that was bestowed unto him by a kindhearted woman at one time became tormenting. Douglass was born in the month of February in year 1818 which the day is unknown. He lived with his grandmother and aunty in Talbot County, Maryland after only seeing his mother a few times before she passed and unknowing his white father. Douglass was later sent to Master Hugh Aulds at age six; where he learned to read and write by the Master’s wife Sophia. He then eventually

Master Hugh’s wife was kind enough to teach Douglass how to read, because she felt that every human being should be treated as one. As years went on and the mistress heart grew cold; Douglass education began taking a downward spiral after Master Hugh converted his wife’s heart into stone. The once kind, and tender-hearted mistress that fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and comforted the distressed was now corrupted by her violent husband, and endeavor to do more than what Master Hugh commanded her to do. Now as a normal slave owner, seeing Douglass with a newspaper drew them mad and sent the mistress striking at him with a fierceness and a look of anger upon her face. If Douglass is even left alone in a room for a period of time, they assume him of reading. Significantly, by the mistress teaching Douglass the alphabet, it caused Douglass to eagerly find different tactics and ways to expand his vocabulary, like feeding bread to the hungry white boys in the streets in exchange for knowledge. Successfully, Douglass discovered how to read by his way of making his friends into teachers at different times. Whenever he was sent on an errand by his slave-owners he would take a book with him and push to finish up early to do some reading. One book he had gotten a hold of was “The Columbian Orator” that was represented about a slave running away from his

Douglass was an intellectual giant. In his first autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, he recounts that his only “formal” education was learning the alphabet from one of the women he served (McGrail, C). Being intelligent, allowed him to move into the forefront of the anti-slavery movement and other campaigns. Douglass achieved international fame as an orator with few peers and as a writer of persuasive power (Blight, D, W). Not saying, that Douglass always had the high road throughout his life. Looking back, to where he wanted to take his own life; just because of the mental darkness he was in, and could not help, but to think. “Without a struggle, there can be no progress” (Douglass, F). Every opportunity Douglass received or seen; he grabbed it and did not make excuses to why he could not do anything. Which is what makes him who he is