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Frederick Douglass Literacy Essay

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“The pen is mightier than the sword.” This phrase credited to Edward Bulwer-Lytton has often been repeated in various forms since the 1840s; however, it takes for granted one important element: literacy. The written word has no power beyond the literacy of the audience. In Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Fredrick Douglass recounts his journey to literacy and its impact on his life. The article showcases his endeavor to learn to read and write and the power it brought him while living in a country that tended to look down on his race. Literacy is a powerful tool for improving one’s environment and status.
Douglass’s literacy journey began while under the bonds of slavery. He shares how his mistress was initially …show more content…

“If I was in a separate room any considerable length of time, I was sure to be suspected of having a book,” he wrote (Douglass, 1845). He also had ideas to learn anytime he went out on an errand. While running errands, he came up with a plan. He planned to make friends with all the little white boys who he met in the street. He furthered his education by trading what bread he had on him with those boys. With their aid, he finally succeeded in learning to read. He wished that he could be as free as them, and they helped him acquire more power toward achieving his freedom by improving his …show more content…

However, Douglass's life proves the power of literacy to change one’s situation. Douglass once said that knowledge was a “more valuable bread” than physical bread. I agree with his sentiment, if one has enough to eat for survival. If someone is starving, then physical bread is more valuable. However, even if it means going hungry, acquiring knowledge is akin to acquire the power to change your situation. I agree with Douglass that learning the alphabet was the initiated his path to freedom. I believe Douglass's life is an example of how increased literacy improves self-realization and increase someone’s power to change their situation. I also agree that using that power to improve one’s on situation is not sufficient. Douglass used his power with words to to inform and inspire others. We should follow his example on that

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