Literacy In The Novel 'Bud Not Buddy' By Christopher Paul Curtis

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During the days of Frederick Douglass, and his conversion from a slave sneaking books to his rise as revolutionary abolitionist in comparison to today’s modern communication with technology, we see that literacy builds the foundation for success. Personally, in my own history regarding literacy, the one novel I feel to have impacted me the most is the highly acclaimed novel: Bud not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis (1999). It was through the powerful message of independence and belonging did Curtis make an impact on my reading and writing. However, Bud, not Buddy did not just have a great effect on me as a writer, it mirrored me as the person I see myself today.
Coming from a different continent, and having a different lifestyle compared to American kids; growing up made me an extreme introvert. Never did I want to go to recess or frolic with the other kids. Fortunately, I was wise enough to fill that void with books and reading. Not any book would do, however. I needed one that was fast-paced, invigorating, and snappy to rivet me. Funny thing is that none of those qualities immediately …show more content…

Before I reunited with my parents, I was raised by my grandmother; a no-nonsense, traditional African woman who had strict guidelines on how to behave. As strict as that may sound, she instilled many beliefs: from common values and morals to simple table manners. Even today I remember her endless attempts at pushing me to be different from my peers; to be respectful and courteous of others, but still inadvertently demand the same respect back. Similarly, before Bud’s mother passed, she would always try to instill within him the importance of family, but it never truly stuck with him until he ran away from his home. Eventually, he learned the importance; the hard way. So having a person or guardian as a role model set the tone between myself and

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