The Human Cost Of An Illiterate Society Rhetorical Analysis

As the world advances through the modern age of information and connectivity, having a literate society is crucial to being able to work effectively with the outside world. Jonathan Kozol’s book, The Human Cost of an Illiterate Society, portrays the life of illiterates in the modern world and argues that society has an ethical obligation to fix the problem of illiteracy. Kozol believes that illiteracy has the greatest effect on the education of current and future generations, the way food is consumed and wasted, and various economic costs to both illiterates and those around them. Kozol’s main point throughout his book is that society as a whole needs to face the problem of illiteracy, as not one single group or person can do it on their own.

Kozol argues that the lack of education not only inhibits the lives of illiterates, but greatly affects the lives of their children as well. He states, “Illiterates cannot read the letter the children bring home from their teachers. [...] they cannot help with homework. They cannot write letters to the teacher. They are afraid to visit in the classroom. They do not want to humiliate their children or themselves” (188). Ensuring that the next generation is literate and prepared with the knowledge to function out in the world is crucial to stopping the spread of illiteracy. As the references state, illiteracy complicates matters of education for the children of illiterates, making it more difficult for them to overcome the shortcomings of their parents. Illiterates themselves also face their own struggle with education. Kozol states that “Illiterate mothers, as we shall see, already have been cheated of the power to protect their progeny against the likelihood of demolition in deficient public schools and, as a result, against the verbal servitude within which they themselves exist” (189). His statement reinforces the difficulty that illiterates face when it comes to educating their own children, and how they are completely helpless to provide any meaningful help when it comes to ensuring a proper education for both themselves and their

One women in Kozol’s article states, “ I couldn’t understand the bills [...] and then I couldn’t write the checks to pay them. We signed things we didn’t know what they were” (190). As they cannot read effectively illiterates are often trapped by unfavorable contracts or missed payments. Illiterates’ tight finances are due to their inabilities to properly manage their money causing them to stay in poverty. Their low income does not allow them to afford the education that is necessary for themselves and their children. Even while in poverty the struggle is further worsened for illiterates as Kozol states, “ Illiterates cannot read the notices that they receive from welfare offices or from the IRS. They must depend on a social worker—or from other persons whom they have good reason to mistrust” (190). Illiterates have great difficulty finding gainful employment leading them to rely on welfare and their families as a sources of income. This puts an economic strain on both the families and the national economy. Their children are also affected because their parents cannot provide many of the services that are beneficial to a child's development. Children in turn have to pay back the mounting debts of their parents while trying to pull themselves out of poverty, creating a cycle that is difficult to