3) What does Douglass mean when he says that “learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing” (paragraph 5)? Furthermore, what does he mean when he says that “freedom…was ever present to torment me” (same paragraph)? In other words, is there a downside to becoming literate? What might that be?
Part one:
When Fredrick Douglass said learning to read is a curse rather than a blessing, he expresses how gaining knowledge on his condition as a slave made him grow anger for his slave holders and even other slaves as well. He started reading the dialogue on the slave communicating with his master, “The slave was made to say so me very smart as, well as impressive things in reply to his master‐things which had the de‐ sired though unexpected effect; for the conversation resulted in the voluntary emancipation of the slave on the part of the master ”. His passion to learn led him to the truth on what was going on at this time. Which explains why his mistress didn’t want him reading newspapers, “Nothing seemed to make her more angry than to see me with a newspaper”. Given the major obstacle Frederick is facing, he still has a drive to learn more, which is very inspirational! As he learned more about his circumstance he discovered possibilities for his freedom. He learned about Catholic Abolition and the carpenters had told him to run away to the North. He was doubtful though because he feared they were setting him up, so they redeem an award to find him. Yet Frederick had come to his senses and with his ability to learn and write he decided to escape anyway.
Part two:
When he said “freedom…was ever present to torment me”, Frederick was grieving his freedom being taken away from him. Earlier he illustrated his jealousy towards the white boys who were teaching him, “You will be free as soon as your twenty-one, but I am a slave for life!” It’s quite sad to even read this, but he’s tormented because he thinks he’ll never see a life as a free human being. He feels his grief throughout all his senses, he lived his life unknown to the truth. But since he’s learned it he pity himself and he grows furious towards those who do have freedom. For Frederick there is a downside in becoming literate, because he knows the facts and he’s facing reality. At least when he was illiterate he could only imagine what his condition and life was. Knowing how to read now, he sees the dehumanization being brought upon the slaves. And he knows that they took him away from his home, to a foreign country to be mistreated. For what reason exactly? Because of his skin tone. One can’t control the color they were born with. But Frederick comes to realize his “condition”, and like they always say the truth hurts.
