Frederick Douglass Pursuit Of Education Essay

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Slavery coincides with ignorance, just as freedom coincides with education. Obtaining an education as a slave often results in feelings of bondage and hatred. Frederick Douglass realized the harsh reality of this in his story, “How I Learned to Read and Write.” However, despite his master’s opposition, Douglass’s pursuit of education inspires his desire for freedom. Douglass’s pursuit of education first starts when his master forbids his mistress from educating him further; thus, igniting Douglass's determination to defy his master's command. Douglass recalls the harsh words of his master, “A nigger should know nothing, but to obey his master. . . Learning would spoil the best nigger in the world.” (Douglass, 1987, p. 130) Douglass, at this point in the story, remains unaware of the power of education. After his master’s powerful stance of opposition to Douglass’s education, his curiosity peaks. “I set out with high hope, and a fixed purpose, at whatever cost of trouble, to learn how to read.” (Douglass, 1987, p.130) While Douglass had yet to understand the power of an education, he started to understand the importance of it. …show more content…

Douglass started trading bread with the young white boys in return for knowledge when he went on errands for his master. At this point in the story, Douglass envies the boys. He says, “You will be free as soon as you are twenty-one, but I am a slave for life. Have I not as good a right to be free as you have?” (Douglass, 1987, p.132) “These words used to trouble them; they would express for me the liveliest sympathy, and console me with the hope that something would occur by which I might be free.” (Douglass, 1987, p.132) The young boys did not fully understand the concept of slavery and what slavery meant for the black people. They had not been corrupted by their father’s

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