Notes

Douglass wanted to learn to read because he was spiritually, emotionally, and physically aware of how slaves were forced to live in ignorance and poverty. In his youth, he would learn that ignorance was a handicap that white masters used to keep African American slaves under control. Douglass was influenced by personal experiences and spiritual breakthroughs. For Douglass, getting an education was a challenge because he had been emotionally and physically harmed his entire existence as a slave. He also understood the ramifications for a black guy seeking education and mental freedom. The importance of literacy in assisting Douglass in achieving his freedom cannot be overstated. Learning to read and write opened his eyes to the injustice of slavery and sparked a desire for freedom in his heart. Douglass' abilities were crucial in his attempts to flee and later in his job as an anti-slavery advocate. Hearing his master disparage the education of slaves inspired Douglass to learn to read. Mr. Auld said that education would "spoil" him and make him "unfit to remain a slave" for the rest of his life (2054). He said that being able to read makes a slave "unmanageable" and "dissatisfied" (2054). Douglass recognized that his literacy and education were the "white man's power to subjugate the black man" (2054). As long as they show more content, I'll be happy. Reading made him realize how "wretched" he was (2057), and he yearned for independence and freedom. He desired it not only for himself, but also for his fellow slaves. He attempted to "impress them with the enormous deception and inhumanity of slavery" by "imbuing their brains with thoughts of freedom" (2077). Douglass took the lead in developing escape plots, and his ability to read and write was crucial to his success. Douglass obtained the copybooks of his master's son, Thomas, while at Master Hugh's. He trained himself to write and was soon able to "write in a hand that was extremely similar to Master Thomas'" (2059). This aptitude aided Douglass in devising a strategy for eluding Mr. Hamilton. Under the name Mr. Hamilton, he wrote multiple "protections" for himself and the other runaways. Despite the fact that the attempt failed, it is a testament to Douglass' intelligence, which would not have existed if he had not received an education. His ability to read and write sparked a yearning for independence and enabled him to pursue it. Douglass' ability to read elevated him to a position of leadership among his fellow slaves. Knowing the value and power of reading, Douglass began teaching Mr. Covey's other slaves; he "successfully created in them a strong desire to learn to read" (2075).