Summary Of Frederick Douglass Learning To Read And Write

Frederick Douglass wrote “Learning to Read and Write” to explain the many dangers of his life as a slave and how he eventually learned to read and write through his mistress and the many people he met in the South. Douglass evolves into an educated man early in his life as his writing is evident to show his maturing either by his language and syntax. Douglass writes his piece about a hurtful topic in a light hearted manner that shows his determination in becoming free, but without reaching the bitter and painful side of his early life as a slave. The usage of anecdotal passages throughout the piece allows it to be read by a wide variety of audiences as Douglass purposely did not choose to include the harsh treatment and abuse as a slave but rather just say that life was hard. For example, when Douglass included that he would “carry bread… used to bestow upon the hungry little urchins, who, in return, would give [Douglass] that more valuable

As Douglass said, “as I writhed under it, I would at times feel that learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing” (6). This shows that as Douglass wanted to become more free, he found himself wanting to die rather than continue on living and experiencing the pain he has to go through everyday as he “found [himself] regretting [his] own existence” (7). Included with the emotional appeal is the fact that Douglass is expressing fear that the only way in becoming free would be running away to the North as he was talking to the Irishman who Douglass believed could be treacherous as “white men have been known to encourage slaves to escape, and the, to get the reward, catch them and return them to their masters” (7). Overall, the effect of the story allows the readers to grasp Douglass’ emotion at a young age whom encountered a very large situation in America at that