Finding Identity in the Pathway from Slavery to Literacy...

You have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man.† -Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life (1845) The most shameful practices of American history is the act of slavery from the whites to the African Americans. Many African Americans were born into slavery and forced to feel inferior towards their white masters. Actual human beings were treated like animals. The inhumane condition of slavery challenged African Americans to discover their individual true identity. The whites defined the slaves’ identity as nothing but servants to them. To the slaves, a symbol of hope was the chance to become literate —learning how to read and write. Frederick Douglass, an African American slave, believed that literacy was†¦show more content†¦In the last two lines â€Å"Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain, / May be refined, and join the angelic train (lines 7-8).† Wheatley feels that the Africans will be â€Å"refined† and changed because of the introduction of Christianity. Wheatley believes that taken away from her homeland was a good thing for her ide ntity to evolve. She feels that the person she is, is not the person she was born as. Despite of her African American race and woman gender, Wheatley succeeded in gaining recognition of her intelligence and literacy in her time. Because of her background, her writing seem too good to be true. The quality of her work was astounding to many of her readers. She had clearly discovered her identity as a respected female African American writer. Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in 1818 at Maryland and was of mixed race, his mother an African American and father a white man (920). Douglass was first thought how to read by his slave master Sophia. Later, her teachings were discontinued by her husband who believe that teaching a slave how to read or write will only do harm (945). After this event Douglas was persistent to learn how to become literate. He learned how to read and write by giving food to the boys in the neighborhood inShow MoreRelatedThe Life Of Frederick Douglass, An A merican Slave1170 Words   |  5 Pagesis no struggle, there is no progress.† This famous quote is from a speech given by one of America’s most influential abolitionist speakers, Frederick Douglass. Born into slavery, this great American leader led a life many of us would find impossible to bear. After gaining his freedom from slavery, Douglass shared his stories through impressive speeches and vivid autobiographies, which helped America move forward as a country liberated from racial inequality. Although Narrative of the Life of FrederickRead MoreDouglass s Narrative Of Slavery Essay1236 Words   |  5 Pagesto give. We realize numerous things from Frederick Douglass`s Narrative. We discover that at one point some slave proprietors which for his case Mrs. Auld, wanted to treat slaves like normal people with the gift of education and kindness but, we additionally discover that their drive to learn things change in the weeks of being beaten and tormented so much that a ll they genuinely need is Freedom. Douglass in his Narrative needed to simply escape and rest from his torment. He was severely beaten andRead More Social and Legal Definitions of Slavery Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave3974 Words   |  16 PagesMr. Covey seemed now to think he had me, and could do what he pleased; but at this moment -- from whence came the spirit I dont know -- I resolved to fight; and, suiting my action to the resolution, I seized Covey hard by the throat; and as I did so, I rose. (Douglass 112, chapt. 10) In Chapter 10 of Frederick Douglass Narrative of the Life of... an American Slave, Douglass describes an important incident in which he forces backward the standard master-slave hierarchy of beating privilegesRead MoreStatement of Purpose23848 Words   |  96 PagesOhio Wesleyan Writing Center Founded University Promoting1955 as a hallmark of liberal arts education writing Writing Guidelines Statements of Purpose From the OWU Writing Center in the Sagan Academic Resource Center The OWU Writing Center Corns 316 ââ€" ª (740-368-3925) ââ€" ª http://writing.owu.edu ââ€" ª open Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Ohio Wesleyan University Writing Center  © 2011 Writing Guidelines for Statements of Purpose Contents Writing Your Statement of Purpose ..........