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Early Life Of Frederick Douglass Education Essay

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The mid- to late-nineteenth century was a dark time for slaves in the United States of America. There was a constant struggle for power and social standing in the South, and slaves, were caught in the middle. In order for Frederick Douglass to free himself from the educational and spiritual darkness of slavery, it was essential for him to learn to read and write. Throughout his childhood Douglass was passionate about his need for education. Frederick Douglass (1845/1995), famous freed slave and abolitionist spoke to this effect in his memoir, Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass, an American Slave, stating, “Their minds had been starved by their cruel masters. They had been shut up in mental darkness” (p. 48-49). However, in his effort to combat the spiritual and educational darkness of the times, Douglass was faced with many trials. The kindness of one of his masters led her to teach him the …show more content…

His ability to read and understand God's Word urged him to teach others at a Sabbath school. Douglass (1845/1995) stated, "They were great days to my soul. The work of instructing my dear fellow-slaves was the sweetest engagement with which I was ever blessed" (p.48). However, Douglass and all those attending the little institution were constantly in danger of being caught. As the days went by, many of the people attending the Sabbath school were taught how to read and write, and were able to then teach others. There was only one incident that Douglass (1845/1995) mentioned, "Wright Fairbanks and Garrison West, both class-leaders, in connection with many others, rushed in upon us with sticks and stones, and broke up our virtuous little Sabbath school" (p.48). But even this cruel act of unkindness did not crush Douglass's passion. He used his knowledge to attempt multiple escapes from slavery, and when successful, was a major figure in the abolishment of

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Thus, despite the fact that Mr. Hugh did not allow him to access education, he continued to study by himself with the assistance of other local boys in the neighborhood. Douglass, consequently, was able to use self-education as a great method to fight against the ignorance of his white master. In addition, he taught other slaves in the Sabbath school, explained them the ignorance of their white masters, and told them about the importance of education. These slaves were greatly influenced by Douglass, so although they had to face whipping and beating, they tried to come to school and met Douglass. Since Douglass understood the power of education, he was able to help not only himself but also his fellow slaves to mentally resist the ignorance of their master and find freedom in the mind.

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Many individuals, without any given option, were conflicted of multiple hardships through an early stage in their life to late adulthood only for the sake of making money for other’s benefit. Enduring such forced labor proved to be difficult for anyone eating “ash cake” (Online Douglass 68). The end results never took a pleasant appearance due to the fact that many fell ill to such cruelty, or even worse many died before ever having any contact with family. Thus leading a man by the name of Frederick Douglass to apostatize and acquire a mentality, by means of learning how to read and write, that no human is to stand idle against such a barbarous thing as slavery. After a lengthy solo fight for freedom and escaping North, Douglass settles down

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He states, “Every moment they spent in that school, they were liable to be taken up, and given thirty-nine lashes. They came because they wished to learn… I taught them, because it was the delight of my soul to be doing something that looked like the bettering the condition of my race” (Douglass 88). Therefore, while white readers may not agree with slaves being educated, through his courage to risk himself by teaching not only himself but others how to read and write, readers can depict his humanity in his selflessness and thirst for knowledge, which is a common desire amongst

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In the 1700-1800’s, the use of African American slaves for backbreaking, unpaid work was at its prime. Despite the terrible conditions that slaves were forced to deal with, slave owners managed to convince themselves and others that it was not the abhorrent work it was thought to be. However, in the mid-1800’s, Northern and southern Americans were becoming more aware of the trauma that slaves were facing in the South. Soon, an abolitionist group began in protest, but still people doubted and questioned it.

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Frederick Douglass in his narrative “Why I learned to Read and Write” demonstrates how he surpassed many obstacles along the way towards getting an education. These obstacles not only shaped Frederick’s outlook on life but also influenced him in his learning to read and write. Frederick’s main challenge was that of not being an owner of his person but rather a slave and a property to someone else. Frederick Douglass lived in the time when slavery was still taking place and slaveholders viewed slavery and education as incompatible. The slave system didn’t allow mental or physical freedom for slaves; slaveholders were to keep the apt appearance and slaves were to remain ignorant.

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Education gives hope for Douglass’s life since he began to truly understand what goes on in slavery. As he figured out more about the topic, his self motivation poured out hope in his life. As Frederick saw an opportunity to become

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Douglass managed to overcome the maltreatment of his wretched slave owners through the eventual attainment of freedom. The injustice imposed upon the African-American slaves by their owners was the crux of Douglass’s motivation to escape this inhumane life. Adolescents in today’s society could use Frederick’s determination as an example of moving forward to better oneself or one’s situation regardless of

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Douglass states: “The more I read, the more I was led to abhor and detest my enslavers. I could regard them in no other light than a band of successful robbers, who had left their homes, and gone to Africa, and stolen us from our homes, and in a strange land reduced us to slavery” (Douglass 51). Reading and writing opened Frederick Douglass’s eyes to the cause of the abolitionist. He became knowledgeable about a topic that white slave owners tried to keep hidden from their slaves. Literacy would eventually impact his life in more ways than what he could see while he was a young slave under Master Hugh’s

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Because of this, he successfully creates a contrast between what the slave owners think of and treat the slaves and how they are. Douglass says that slave’s minds were “starved by their cruel masters”(Douglass, 48) and that “they had been shut up in mental darkness” (Douglass, 48) and through education, something that they were deprived of, Frederick Douglass is able to open their minds and allow them to flourish into the complex people that they are. By showing a willingness to learn to read and write, the slaves prove that they were much more than what was forced upon them by their masters.

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With all the knowledge he was gaining, he began to comprehend everything around him. The things he was learning fascinated him, but the “more [he] read, the more [he] was led to abhor and detest [his] enslavers”(Douglass 35); however, that should not be viewed as a negative affect but a positive one. No one should want to be deceived for their entire life. This hatred that he built up motivated him to continue to further educate himself. As a result, he later motivated other slaves to earn an education by having “[availed] themselves to [an] opportunity to learn to read” (Douglass 69) by Douglass teaching them every Sunday.

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Furthermore, Education opened Douglass’s eyes to the reality of his injustice as a slave; thus, compelling him to action as he recalls, “In moments of agony, I envied my fellow-slaves for their stupidity. ”(Douglass, 2014, p.133) Education caused Douglass heartache. While attaining his education benefited Douglass, he could not relate to his fellow slaves. The fellow slaves had the ability to remain content with their current state of being since it was all they had ever known. Douglass knew otherwise and longed for the forbidden life as a free man, as it changed from an unattainable idea into an achievable

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1638 Words | 7 Pages

Although it had been said 421 years ago this renowned proverb had cultivated itself as the apex of modern society. In addition to its modern influence, it had greatly impacted the decline of slavery. In the novel, “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass”, Douglass incorporates his acquisition of knowledge in order to implore others to conform to his cause. “These dear souls came not to Sabbath school because it was popular to do so, nor did I teach them because it was reputable to be thus engaged. Every moment they spent in that school, they were liable to be taken up and given thirty-nine lashes.

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1080 Words | 5 Pages

In Frederick Douglass’s narrative essay titled “Learning to Read” he recalls his journey to literacy. Throughout the essay Douglass reveals how he learned to read and write, despite the fact that education was strictly prohibited to slaves. Initially, Douglass learned how to read through his mistress, but he later learned from the little white boys on the streets. As for learning to write, he often times observed ship carpenters and replicated the copy-books of his Master’s son. Frederick Douglass did not have the same opportunities students have today, yet despite his adversities, Douglass was able to become a literate slave, and ultimately free himself from slavery with the power of

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1474 Words | 6 Pages

From the moment Frederick Douglass was given the tools to read “books” he was overcome with a joy and excitement for knowledge that inspired him to persevere regardless of the beliefs of others. As a slave Douglass was sent to live with his masters the Hugh family, during his time there his master’s wife began to teach him to read “books”. The lessons gave the young boy a chance to explore worlds he never imagined and was the beginning of an undeniable love for literature. Unfortunately when his master was informed of this he immediately halted all the lessons. Douglass recalls Mr. Hugh explaining to his wife that studying “books” was not suitable for slaves and

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Douglass believe education was the strength for slaves to gain freedom. Douglass finally succeeded in learning how to write when he was left alone by his mistress and started to practice writing in his Master Thomas’s copy-book. Learning how to read and write help Douglass see slavery as intolerable cruel punishment, so he did not sleep until he became free. By doing so, Frederick Douglas began to write in support of

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