How I Learned to Read and Write

Frederick Douglass describes his journey of learning to read and write as a slave in his autobiographical work, “Learning to Read and Write” (1845). Douglass explains how he was taught the alphabet by his mistress before she was influenced by society’s bigotry. Then, Douglass had to seek erudition independently, learning from the white boys he met in the street. He showed resourcefulness and a thirst for knowledge in adversity at a young age. He read about Catholic emancipation and abolitionism, and became the Frederick Douglass we know today. Douglass shared this story from his life in order to show how a will to learn can transform into a will to change the world. Frederick Douglass’s intended audience was likely other abolitionists whom he wanted to inspire.

After reading this piece of writing, I have gained even more insight on the importance of learning to read and write. Throughout the excerpt, Douglass explains his journey and curiosity. For instance, he states “The reading of these documents enabled me to utter my thoughts, and to meet the arguments brought forward to sustain slavery; but while they relieved me of one difficulty, they brought on another even more painful than the one of which I was relieved.” Ultimately, I feel as though we can all relate to Douglass as readers and writers, that learning to read and write makes one more self-aware and informed of their situation. I can also see how the ability to read and write gives us all a voice, just as it gave Frederick Douglass a voice; a voice to fight slavery.

Frederick Douglass shares his journey in which he persevered in obtaining the knowledge of having the ability to read and write. In the writing, he expresses his routine in which he took advantage of his situation and learned additional educational takeaways from it. Douglass’s mistress leaving books secretly for him within the house, his trading food to challenge other children to read, and writing contests gave insight into his bold determination and valiant drive. From a little child, to an African American slave within his generation, in attempting to gain more knowledge, and perspective, about how to read and write, he faces various negative emotions about his new skill in being able to understand the reality of his world through his ability to comprehend what most of his peers could not. For example, on page 3 he writes, “I would at times feel that learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing. It had given me a view of my wretched condition, without the remedy. It opened my eyes to the horrible pit, but to no ladder upon which to get out.” Through Douglass’s feeling of hopelessness, he found light in his darkness from being enlightened to the idea of “free slaves”. Douglass writes “I was afraid that these seemingly good men might use me so; but I nevertheless remembered their advice, and from that time I resolved to run away. I was too young to think of doing so immediately; besides, I wished to learn how to write, as I might have occasion to write my own passage.” Douglass continued in his efforts of learning through his circumstances, and in doing so, he demonstrated the prosperity in his ambitions of reading and writing. His enslavement was his prime motivation. 

                                                        Works Cited

Douglass, Frederick. ”Learning to Read and Write.” bcs.bedfordstmartins.com,  http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/webpub/english/bedguide8e/Public%20Domain%20Readings/Douglass%20Learning%20to%20Read%20and%20Write.pdf  Accessed 17 June 2023.

Frederick Douglass in His Study at Cedar Hill photograph. National Park Service US Department of Interior, 1890, Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (nps.gov). Accessed 17 June 2023.