Alexandra Rios

Professor Walker

Eng 110

29 August 2022

Summary and Response

In the essay "Learning to Read and Write" by Frederick Douglass, Douglass shows the

importance and development of reading and writing through his own experiences. The story

follows Fedrick douglass’ long journey to read and write as a slave during his time living with

Master Hugh and his family. Throughout the text, the author mentions his difficult strategies and

ways he was able to secretly learn the two life skills. Although he begins as a hopeless slave

towards the begginning of the text, he grows wiser and more dedicated leading him to master

both reading and writing. Because of Douglas’s circumstances of a cruel master and slavery his

development takes time and effort but ultimately reveals the unfairness and inhumane ways of

slaveholders and slavery as a whole. Additionally, as the text unfolds, Douglass’ resentment

continues to grow which fuels his motivation and drive to become literate and eventually escape

slavery. Lastly, Frederick Douglass’ concludes his text by revealing that he was successful in

learning to write after his long journey of personal and educational growth and foreshadows his

possible absence as he tries to flee slavery and runway North.

I believe Fredrick Douglass’ essay at hand clearly depicts and emphasizes the importance

and privilege of reading and writing, but mostly education in general. Although Douglass

mentioned “I writhed under it, I would at times feel like learning to read had been a curse rather

than a blessing” (Douglas, 3), I believe this shows the reader that it opened his eyes as a whole,

rather than it actually being a curse. I partially disagree with that line of the text due to the fact
that I don't think education and knowledge can ever harm one's being, but only open

opportunities that may have never been available to them. Showing the journey of becoming

literate through the view of a slave highlights the struggle, dedication, and perservereance

needed to become succesful. I believe the author's intention was to not only educate the reader

about the value of education but to also show that the actual journey won't always be easy.

“Thus, after a long tedious effort for years, I finally succeeded in learning how to write.”

(Douglass, 4). This demonstrates that as time continues, whether it be education or another

matter, the journey may be difficult and maybe even seem impossible, but like Douglass, can be

accomplished. Overall, I enjoyed the text written by Fredrick Douglass and agree with the

message of education having a high value and working hard and far to achieve the education.

The story further supports the idea that education is universal and anyone may not have access to

help, but can be reached through self motivation, work, and dedication. With this earned, I

believe opportunities can be greatly multiplied. “It opened my eyes to the horrible pit, but to no

ladder upon which to get out,” (Douglass, 3). Although to douglass, it seemed like a negative

new view of life, it lead him to understand he was not being treated fairly and drove him to

eventually plan and succeed in escaping slavery. Some may say the text at hand is only a story of

Douglass' journey, however I believe that various messages depicted inspires and attracts readers.