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Maria Camila Vargas

Prof. Motzkus
History 1700
Question #1
Literacy: The First Step for Freedom
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave

Frederick Douglas was an African-American writer who was born in slavery. The times in
which Douglas lived were not easy for African- Americans. Slavery was one of the major
problems that black Americans faced during this time. In order to maintain slavery white
Americans used many strategies including barbaric treatment of slaves. The purpose of these
barbaric acts was to dehumanize the slaves. First, slaves were treated worse than the animals.
Secondly, they were treated with brutality. Thirdly, the sacred scriptures were used to justified
slavery. Finally, they did not have access to education. Thus, Douglass realized that literacy
would be the first step to abolish slavery. Although Douglass knew that slavery was wrong, it was
not until he learned how to read that he could find the arguments necessary to defeat slavery, and
make his first step toward freedom.
Songs were one of the first expressions of language in which Douglass was able to
realize that slavery was not right. Even though, slaves did not know how to write or read, they
often created songs that express their deepest feelings of agony and despair. Douglass points out
that the lyrics of these songs gave him the first hint that slavery was evil. He said, To those
songs I trace my first glimmering conception of the dehumanizing character of slavery (20).
These songs were important because they transmitted a message; therefore, they show that words
are powerful. Douglass knew that these songs were meaningful for the slaves, but it was not until

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he learned to read that he was able to analyze and comprehend the real meaning of these
melodies. As he said, many of the white people misunderstood the real purpose for which slaves
sang. Indeed, they believed that songs expressed feelings of happiness however, they were tears
converted in music. Later in his life, Douglass understood that literature like music could transmit
a message at the same time they can be a way of persuasion.
Literacy was for Frederick Douglass the most important event in his life. Douglass was
relocated in the city of Baltimore; what he did not know at that time was that his stay in that place
would change his life forever. It was in Baltimore that he was first exposed to literature. His new
mistresses, Mrs. Auld, taught Douglass the alphabet and small words. What she did not realize
was that she was giving him the most important keys to defeat slavery. However, these classes
with Mrs. Auld did not last too long because Mr. Auld banned his wife to teach Douglass. Mr.
Auld said, If you teach a nigger how to read, there would be no keeping him. It would forever
unfit him to be a slave (31). The disapproval of his master toward learning to read gave
Douglass the idea that literacy was fundamental to close the gap between slaves and slaveholders.
Therefore, it could make the difference between remaining as a slave or finding his way for
freedom.
After Douglass learned to read, he started to think about freedom. Reading newspapers
and books opened his mind. They made him aware of his situation; moreover, they awakened in
him the feeling that someday he could achieve freedom. This new awakening made Douglass a
careful listener too. Listening carefully within the debates that white Americans had about
slavery, Douglass heard the word abolition. This word was repeated a few times, which made
Douglass curious about its meaning. Even though, Douglass was not able to find much
information about the word abolitionist he knew that it was important. Finally, while Douglass

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was reading a newspaper, he found the meaning of the word abolition. Thus, if Douglass had
not known how to read, he could not know that some people in the North were talking about the
abolition of slavery.
Since Douglass heard the word abolition, he found himself hopeful. He started to learn
how to write, and he started to read the bible. Then, he started a Sunday school in which he
taught slaves how to read and write. In order to be able to teach other slaves Douglass tricked his
Master using the bible as a main book. He said, It was necessary to keep our religious masters at
St. Michaels unacquainted with the fact, that instead of spending the Sabbath in wrestling,
boxing, and drinking whisky, we were trying to learn how to read the will of God (59). Teaching
other slaves was a huge step in the path to freedom. Before Douglass taught other slaves how to
read and write, slaves understood that this new idea was helpful and that literacy will change their
lives forever.
Moreover, the thoughtful study of the bible allowed Douglas to question religion. He
wanted to know if a merciful Christian God actually approved the horrors of slavery. Douglass
compared his masters Mr. Covey and Mr. Freeland whom have a different level of education. He
noticed that, the well- educated master Mr. Freeland treated his slaves better than Mr. Covey did.
He said, talking about Mr. Freeland, my treatment, while in his employment, was heavenly,
compared with what I experience at the hands of Mr. Edward Covey (59). In addition, Douglass
was able to questioning the passages in the bible. He stated, Does a righteous God govern the
universe? And for what does he hold the thunders in his right hand, if not to smite the oppressor,
and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the spoiled? (60). Using the same bible that his
masters used, Douglass was able to invert their religious arguments, and demonstrated that
slavery was wrong.

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Because of his voracious readings, Douglass developed critical thinking. He could see
now from another perspective the immoral actions that the masters committed against slaves.
Even more, he developed reasoning, and new ideas came to his mind. Through reading, he was
able to make himself free. As he said, I have found that, to make a contented slave, it is
necessary to make a thoughtless one. It is necessary to darken his moral and mental vision, and,
as far as possible, to annihilate the power of reason (70). As the bible opens the eyes of
Christians to the truth, literacy open the eyes of Douglass. He was able to have the courage to
defeat slavery, to fight for his life, and to set him free.
As has been noted, the life of Douglass shows how education can make a huge difference
in life. Therefore, education should be value as a treasure that creates consciences among humans
in order to understand other points of view. Literacy can be the most potent weapon to defeat
poverty, war, and injustice. The autobiography of Douglass is an excellent example of how
literacy can turn adverse circumstances into opportunities for growth. Through education, slaves
become in masters of their own lives. Finally, Knowledge is powerful because it allows people to
stop fighting, but start reasoning.

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Work cited
Blassingame, John W. McKiving, John R. Hinks Peter (2001) Narrative of the life of Frederick
Douglass, an American Slave. Yale University press. Print.