Fredrick Douglass
...reedom.” (Douglass 32) This “pathway” that Douglass is referring to is the transition from slavery to freedom. Moreover, Douglass sees the outraged reaction of his Master, Mr. Auld, upon finding out `that his slave is being taught to read. The reaction of his master is what sparks an uncontrollable flame inside of Douglass to learn how to read. Douglass conveys this argument to the reader when he writes, “that which to him [his master] was a great evil, to be carefully shunned, was to me a great good, to be diligently sought; an the argument which he so warmly urged, against my learning to read, only served to inspire me with a desire and determination to learn” (Douglass, 32) Douglass alludes to his audience that his master indirectly taught him the importance of an education. Mr. Auld’s bitter opposition to Douglass’s education was the fuel which drove Douglass’s learning desires. After learning the significance of recovering an education, Douglass intensely began to create different environments suitable for learning. He learned how to write from hearing and reading the letters that were written on ships at his job on the ship-yard. He also learned to write from the small children on the streets who also knew how to write. He would outwit the children by telling them that they could not physically write better than he could. This friendly compete ion is how Douglass perfected his reading and writing abilities. Furthermore, one can visually see the progress metamor...