Thomas Grays saying “Ignorance is bliss” seems untrue at first glance. Knowledge and Education are, and have been, nearly essential for any upward social mobility in society. On the other hand, education can also lead to the discovery of many of the cold truths in the world. This can be seen in the“Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass”. Education is the most important theme in book. Frederick Douglas saw and used education as the path to freedom. However, the more educated he became, the more he realized just how awful the institution of slavery was. Although it was hard to accept the reality at times, Douglass used education, not ignorance, to achieve happiness and success.
Education was a double edged sword For Frederick Douglass. …show more content…
Through education, Douglass saw a path to a brighter future.. Douglass was motivated to learn how to read after he heard his master, Mr. Auld, condemn the education of slaves. He believed that the ability to read makes a slave “unmanageable” and “discontented” Douglass realized that the “white man’s power to enslave the black man” was in his literacy and education. Lack of an education essentially sealed a slave’s fate.. However, if the slaves are educated, they would understand that they are just as human human as their owners, as well as every white man. This would make them realize the unfairness of their treatment. This gave Douglass hope. Education was forbidden because it lead to freedom. Douglass longed for his independence and freedom. Hearing his master say education was the key only him want to learn …show more content…
Douglass says that he “succeeded in creating in them a strong desire to learn how to read” . He taught neighboring slaves at a sabbath school. His teaching improved their quality of life, even though they were slaves. Douglass said they went from only being interested in “wrestling, boxing, and drinking”, to behaving like“intellectual, moral, and accountable beings”. Douglass found a great amount of joy in teaching his fellow slaves. It gave him hope for the future. .Douglass’s education allowed him to help lift his peers out of ignorance, ultimately make them hopeful as well. Through education, Douglass and his pear achieved a certain level of
Education was a double edged sword For Frederick Douglass. …show more content…
Through education, Douglass saw a path to a brighter future.. Douglass was motivated to learn how to read after he heard his master, Mr. Auld, condemn the education of slaves. He believed that the ability to read makes a slave “unmanageable” and “discontented” Douglass realized that the “white man’s power to enslave the black man” was in his literacy and education. Lack of an education essentially sealed a slave’s fate.. However, if the slaves are educated, they would understand that they are just as human human as their owners, as well as every white man. This would make them realize the unfairness of their treatment. This gave Douglass hope. Education was forbidden because it lead to freedom. Douglass longed for his independence and freedom. Hearing his master say education was the key only him want to learn …show more content…
Douglass says that he “succeeded in creating in them a strong desire to learn how to read” . He taught neighboring slaves at a sabbath school. His teaching improved their quality of life, even though they were slaves. Douglass said they went from only being interested in “wrestling, boxing, and drinking”, to behaving like“intellectual, moral, and accountable beings”. Douglass found a great amount of joy in teaching his fellow slaves. It gave him hope for the future. .Douglass’s education allowed him to help lift his peers out of ignorance, ultimately make them hopeful as well. Through education, Douglass and his pear achieved a certain level of