Ignorance Is Bliss: Fredrick Douglass Search For Freedom Through Knowledge
Literary Analysis: Fredrick Douglass
Ignorance Is Bliss: Fredrick Douglass’ Search for Freedom through Knowledge In the Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself
Douglass writes about his life as a slave and his effort to educate both white and black men, about the nature of slavery, and its inherent injustice. Throughout his text, Douglass places a very high value on knowledge and education. It becomes obvious to the reader that very early on in his life knowledge and education become somewhat of a symbol to him; a symbol of power and freedom. This principle is seen throughout the novel, both during his enslavement as well as after his escape from slavery. Ultimately, it is Douglass’ continual pursuit of knowledge that leads to his liberation from slavery. Douglass’ text begins with him sharing his lack of knowledge about his birth. …show more content…
Auld preached as being the “evils of education” for African American slaves were the exact things that Douglass desired for himself. He wanted to be ‘unkeepable,’ and unfit for slavery. He states that “From that moment, I understood the pathway from slavery to freedom” (Douglass 29). Education became his main goal, his stepping-stone to becoming a free man. It seems that the very thing that Mr. Auld feared would become of an educated slave did become of Douglass. The knowledge that he gained through reading made him even more displeasured with his own situation in life. As a result of this, he began to formulate ideas of escaping to the north, where he would be able to live as a free man. Even after Douglass achieves his freedom, he still sees education as a foundation of power and enlightenment. The various speeches that Douglass made in his lifetime and his many writings all attempt to educate people about the negatives of slavery; he seeks to show them the ill effects that this institution has had on African Americans, as well as on white
Ignorance Is Bliss: Fredrick Douglass’ Search for Freedom through Knowledge In the Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself
Douglass writes about his life as a slave and his effort to educate both white and black men, about the nature of slavery, and its inherent injustice. Throughout his text, Douglass places a very high value on knowledge and education. It becomes obvious to the reader that very early on in his life knowledge and education become somewhat of a symbol to him; a symbol of power and freedom. This principle is seen throughout the novel, both during his enslavement as well as after his escape from slavery. Ultimately, it is Douglass’ continual pursuit of knowledge that leads to his liberation from slavery. Douglass’ text begins with him sharing his lack of knowledge about his birth. …show more content…
Auld preached as being the “evils of education” for African American slaves were the exact things that Douglass desired for himself. He wanted to be ‘unkeepable,’ and unfit for slavery. He states that “From that moment, I understood the pathway from slavery to freedom” (Douglass 29). Education became his main goal, his stepping-stone to becoming a free man. It seems that the very thing that Mr. Auld feared would become of an educated slave did become of Douglass. The knowledge that he gained through reading made him even more displeasured with his own situation in life. As a result of this, he began to formulate ideas of escaping to the north, where he would be able to live as a free man. Even after Douglass achieves his freedom, he still sees education as a foundation of power and enlightenment. The various speeches that Douglass made in his lifetime and his many writings all attempt to educate people about the negatives of slavery; he seeks to show them the ill effects that this institution has had on African Americans, as well as on white