-
Essay / The Way to Learn to Read and Write: Frederick Douglass
People seem to be afraid of things they don't know. Knowledge is what contributes to liberation. So, once people understand their fears, they will release them in life. Freedom is the life that slaves would like to live. Live without the threat of anyone. Knowing yourself is the first step towards freedom. People are capable of achieving physical, mental and spiritual independence. Knowledge will lead people to control, something slave masters tend to avoid. Sure, slaves physically escape freedom, but their upbringing gives them the will to do so. When Fedrick Douglass was born, he didn't see freedom as something because their masters would keep them in ignorance of the rest of the world. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Slave masters will prevent slaves from knowing anything outside of their work. They wanted to keep it that way so that their slaves would be obedient and stay content. Douglass states in writing that his age is approximate and inaccurate since his owners did not want to let slaves have certain information. This is the first indication of the slaves' lack of knowledge. The only form he learned was what Douglass had seen and experienced. Seeing slaves singing songs, he began to understand that the life of a slave is horrible. He says this because he knows how miserable they sound when they sing. Douglass became more aware of the impact of slavery not only on slaves but also on masters. Douglass learned around the age of six or seven that he would have to be taken to a new plantation in Baltimore. His new mistress had never owned a slave, so Mrs. Auld did not know how to behave towards him. Mrs. Auld started teaching Federick the alphabet, but once Mr. Auld knew, he scolded her. After Mrs. Auld lost sight of slaves as human beings, because it was believed that slaves would rebel and enslave white people if they were ever taught. With the result that they would become dissatisfied with their lifestyle. By scolding her, Mr. Auld unwittingly exposed the technique by which slave masters would manage black people as slaves and by which they could free themselves. When Douglass heard this, he realized what he had to do to escape freedom. In short, education helps him understand the inequalities linked to slavery. Until Federick learns to read, write, and think for himself about what slavery really is, he will not be able to escape from it. He was touched by a book called The Columbian Orator, which included many articles on the fight against slavery. The article allowed Douglass to fully understand the problem of slavery, but it also caused Douglass to deeply despise his owners. Douglass's frustration has now become deeply intense, as Mr. Auld expected, as he recognizes the cruelty of his situation. All the while, Douglass actively listens to anyone who talks about slavery. He also encounters the term “abolitionist”. Douglass eventually discovered that the word meant "anti-slavery" in a local newspaper's report of an abolitionist's appeal. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Once he had knowledge, Douglass was finally able to commit to abolitionism. He was also awake and aware of the truth about slavery. Federick.