Carlie Beck
History 1700
Education Leads to Freedom
Frederick Douglass was one of the most brilliant, and intellectual people to walk this earth. In his narrative, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, he is truly an example of how education can set you free. He faced many difficult trials, and struggles, but was able to overcome them and make a difference. In his narrative, learning to read completely changed his life, but it was a difficult road he had to travel. According to Mr. Auld, learning and knowing how to read will “spoil” the slave because he feared that literacy would endow slaves with the knowledge to question slavery.
Keeping slaves incognizant and illiterate was part of the Slaveholders’ economy of dominion. Denying and withholding basic information dehumanized the slaves. Mr. Auld is one of Frederick Douglass’ occasional masters, who is very brutal and cruel. Mr. Auld says, “If you teach a nigger how to read, there would be no keeping him. It would forever unfit him to be a slave. He would at once become unmanageable, and of no value to his master ”(63). Denying slaves an education denied them of the opportunity to find and create their own self-identification within society. If a slave gained an education, they would accurately understand how mistreated they were, and would expect to be treated as human beings rather than property. It would absolutely devastate the slave “ because it would make him (or her) discontented and unhappy” (78). Mr. Auld does not realize that he has just given Frederick Douglass some of the most vital information he will receive in his lifetime.
Mr. Auld unwittingly reveals the strategy for freedom. Frederick Douglass overhears Mr. Auld reprimand his wife for teaching Douglass the ABC’s. Although, at first, Douglass is not too upset, he realizes slaves have been kept in ignorance in order for white slave owners to maintain status quo. Douglass begins to understand the pathway from slavery to freedom. He starts to realize the significance of education. Douglass was a genius, and used trickery to learn how to read, and write. With his knowledge of the ABC’s, he is able to trick little boys into teaching him simple, and basic words. Douglass quickly finds out that writing is harder than reading, but wants to be taught, and that is why he tricks the little boys into spelling competitions. Although the boys always win, he is able to learn from them. Because Frederick Douglass made friends with these little white boys in the street, they were more than happy to teach him the things they have learned in school, and he was more than happy to learn the things they were taught in school.
When Frederick Douglass was at his lowest point; Covey has just beaten him and he is for all intents and purposes broken, he looks out onto the Chesapeake Bay and is suddenly struck by a vision of beautiful white sailing ships. At this point, Douglass has a moment of awakening. “You are loosed from your moorings, and are free; I am fast in my chains, and am a slave! You move merrily before the gentle gale, and I sadly before the bloody whip! You are freedom’s swift-winged angels, that fly around the world; I am confined in bands of iron! O that I were free! O, that I were on one of your gallant decks, under your protecting wing!” ( 69). Douglass begins to question if there is a God, and why his purpose is to be born a slave and die a slave. He has a moment of realization that he will either be free, or he will die trying to become free. He then decides rather than turning on God, he is going to turn the problem around. Since Douglass has faith that there is a God, he reasons God will help him become a free man. From this point forward, Douglass is sure that it is only a matter of time until he gains his freedom.
Douglass eventually escapes, and becomes a free man. The significance of education in his autobiography is one of his key points. It is remarkable to see how reading and writing changed, and shaped his life. With a knowledge of writing and reading he was able to make a difference in a world where he would have had no impact without education. Frederick Douglass goes on to become an abolitionist following his escape, and works as a writer and orator. His life was entirely changed, and today he is still looked at as one of the most influential men in the world. Although we no longer have chattel slavery, slavery does still exist in the United States. There is a lesson for everyone in his beautiful narrative; education can set you free. Historically the relation between literacy and freedom was precisely how it is today, and it will remain unchanging. In today’s modern world, education is what will set us free. Striving to becoming cognizant and literate people will lead to the road of success. Throughout Douglass’ entire narrative he demonstrates power, and endurance. Gaining an education is not easy, and it requires hard work, but the results are well worth the pain. Education promotes involvement with our country’s regulations, and allows us to make better and wiser choices from those who are unaware of today’s issues. Frederick Douglass was an amazing man, and may he forever continue to inspire each and every person.
Works Cited
Douglass, Frederick, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave.
Cambridge, MA: Belknap, 1960
Reflection:
This paper and class has made me realize the importance of studying history. If we can learn from the mistakes that have been made before us, we will be more likely to make better decisions. With every historical event or figure there are both positive and negative effects. May we remember the positive and learn from the negative. It is up to each of us as individuals to become educated in not only past issues, but also current so we can allow our voices to be heard. Education is what has and what will set us up for success.
History 1700
Education Leads to Freedom
Frederick Douglass was one of the most brilliant, and intellectual people to walk this earth. In his narrative, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, he is truly an example of how education can set you free. He faced many difficult trials, and struggles, but was able to overcome them and make a difference. In his narrative, learning to read completely changed his life, but it was a difficult road he had to travel. According to Mr. Auld, learning and knowing how to read will “spoil” the slave because he feared that literacy would endow slaves with the knowledge to question slavery.
Keeping slaves incognizant and illiterate was part of the Slaveholders’ economy of dominion. Denying and withholding basic information dehumanized the slaves. Mr. Auld is one of Frederick Douglass’ occasional masters, who is very brutal and cruel. Mr. Auld says, “If you teach a nigger how to read, there would be no keeping him. It would forever unfit him to be a slave. He would at once become unmanageable, and of no value to his master ”(63). Denying slaves an education denied them of the opportunity to find and create their own self-identification within society. If a slave gained an education, they would accurately understand how mistreated they were, and would expect to be treated as human beings rather than property. It would absolutely devastate the slave “ because it would make him (or her) discontented and unhappy” (78). Mr. Auld does not realize that he has just given Frederick Douglass some of the most vital information he will receive in his lifetime.
Mr. Auld unwittingly reveals the strategy for freedom. Frederick Douglass overhears Mr. Auld reprimand his wife for teaching Douglass the ABC’s. Although, at first, Douglass is not too upset, he realizes slaves have been kept in ignorance in order for white slave owners to maintain status quo. Douglass begins to understand the pathway from slavery to freedom. He starts to realize the significance of education. Douglass was a genius, and used trickery to learn how to read, and write. With his knowledge of the ABC’s, he is able to trick little boys into teaching him simple, and basic words. Douglass quickly finds out that writing is harder than reading, but wants to be taught, and that is why he tricks the little boys into spelling competitions. Although the boys always win, he is able to learn from them. Because Frederick Douglass made friends with these little white boys in the street, they were more than happy to teach him the things they have learned in school, and he was more than happy to learn the things they were taught in school.
When Frederick Douglass was at his lowest point; Covey has just beaten him and he is for all intents and purposes broken, he looks out onto the Chesapeake Bay and is suddenly struck by a vision of beautiful white sailing ships. At this point, Douglass has a moment of awakening. “You are loosed from your moorings, and are free; I am fast in my chains, and am a slave! You move merrily before the gentle gale, and I sadly before the bloody whip! You are freedom’s swift-winged angels, that fly around the world; I am confined in bands of iron! O that I were free! O, that I were on one of your gallant decks, under your protecting wing!” ( 69). Douglass begins to question if there is a God, and why his purpose is to be born a slave and die a slave. He has a moment of realization that he will either be free, or he will die trying to become free. He then decides rather than turning on God, he is going to turn the problem around. Since Douglass has faith that there is a God, he reasons God will help him become a free man. From this point forward, Douglass is sure that it is only a matter of time until he gains his freedom.
Douglass eventually escapes, and becomes a free man. The significance of education in his autobiography is one of his key points. It is remarkable to see how reading and writing changed, and shaped his life. With a knowledge of writing and reading he was able to make a difference in a world where he would have had no impact without education. Frederick Douglass goes on to become an abolitionist following his escape, and works as a writer and orator. His life was entirely changed, and today he is still looked at as one of the most influential men in the world. Although we no longer have chattel slavery, slavery does still exist in the United States. There is a lesson for everyone in his beautiful narrative; education can set you free. Historically the relation between literacy and freedom was precisely how it is today, and it will remain unchanging. In today’s modern world, education is what will set us free. Striving to becoming cognizant and literate people will lead to the road of success. Throughout Douglass’ entire narrative he demonstrates power, and endurance. Gaining an education is not easy, and it requires hard work, but the results are well worth the pain. Education promotes involvement with our country’s regulations, and allows us to make better and wiser choices from those who are unaware of today’s issues. Frederick Douglass was an amazing man, and may he forever continue to inspire each and every person.
Works Cited
Douglass, Frederick, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave.
Cambridge, MA: Belknap, 1960
Reflection:
This paper and class has made me realize the importance of studying history. If we can learn from the mistakes that have been made before us, we will be more likely to make better decisions. With every historical event or figure there are both positive and negative effects. May we remember the positive and learn from the negative. It is up to each of us as individuals to become educated in not only past issues, but also current so we can allow our voices to be heard. Education is what has and what will set us up for success.