Slavery
...ledge as the “key” that ultimately led him towards freedom. His is a story of self-discovery. He used his growing awareness of his condition, through self teaching, as the fuel to better himself. Douglass arises out of the most miserable beginnings to become one of the most influential figures in African American history. Surrounded by the challenges associated with slavery and education, he describes the highs and lows, in overcoming oppression with knowledge. Although slave owners used slavery as a means of social control, ignorance was the main tool they had to control their slaves. In Frederick Douglass’ autobiography, Mistress Hugh was violently opposed to Douglass learning to read and write. “Nothing seemed to make her more angry than to see me with a newspaper. I have had her rush at me with a face made all up of fury…” (Garnes 104). She opposed to his learning because she knew that knowledge and literacy were incompatible with slavery. In the beginning she taught Douglass the A, B, Cs but was soon conditioned by her husband about the ill effects of educating slaves. Her husband declared that learning was unfit for slavery. Under her husband’s influence, she became afraid that education would spark ideas of freedom or violence. As a result, Mistress Hugh grew callous towards Douglas...