In “Learning to Read and Write” by Frederick Douglass and “Learning to Read” by Malcolm X, both writers display the idea of the importance of literacy as it contributes to personal development and social consciousness. Although the authors come from contrasting backgrounds they seem to find similarities in their opinion of personal empowerment with the ability and desire to rise in society through learning literature. Furthermore, the autobiographies, written in 1845 and 1965, where written nearly a century apart from one another yet they both use similar rhetorical strategies to reflect their time devoted in learning to read and write and the power of position of the white people during the time period of white oppression.
Although both …show more content…
He compels his journey to overcome these hardships through learning proper literature in his autobiography. He effectively establishes ethos by saying “In the streets, I [he] had been the most articulate hustler out there-I [he] had commanded attention when I [he] say something. But now, trying to write simple English, I [he] not only wasn’t articulate, I [he] wasn’t functional.” This shows that he went from brutal to scholar attitude after learning to read and write. He further displays self-discipline in that he became a better person in the jail cell. By displaying his dedication he is able to connect with the reader and establish trust. The author shows his frustration of not having knowledge in reading and through expressing this he invokes pathos. As quoted before, he makes statements like “Trying to write simple English, I not only wasn’t articulate, I wasn’t even functional.” The use of diction in the sentence ties together his frustration, which essential leads to the emotions of the reader. Furthermore, the reader feels sympathy that the man has changed to become a better person. Finally, he appeals logically by encouraging the read to find power in self-education. He quotes, “Anyone who has read a great deal can imagine the new world that opened.” This sentence has greater meaning than just the world of literature. It also reflects his life of crime to his new holy
Although both …show more content…
He compels his journey to overcome these hardships through learning proper literature in his autobiography. He effectively establishes ethos by saying “In the streets, I [he] had been the most articulate hustler out there-I [he] had commanded attention when I [he] say something. But now, trying to write simple English, I [he] not only wasn’t articulate, I [he] wasn’t functional.” This shows that he went from brutal to scholar attitude after learning to read and write. He further displays self-discipline in that he became a better person in the jail cell. By displaying his dedication he is able to connect with the reader and establish trust. The author shows his frustration of not having knowledge in reading and through expressing this he invokes pathos. As quoted before, he makes statements like “Trying to write simple English, I not only wasn’t articulate, I wasn’t even functional.” The use of diction in the sentence ties together his frustration, which essential leads to the emotions of the reader. Furthermore, the reader feels sympathy that the man has changed to become a better person. Finally, he appeals logically by encouraging the read to find power in self-education. He quotes, “Anyone who has read a great deal can imagine the new world that opened.” This sentence has greater meaning than just the world of literature. It also reflects his life of crime to his new holy