Douglass describes his experiences with literacy throughout his narrative. Please identify and discuss at least 2 of his experiences and how these...

Douglass credits literacy with changing his
entire life's trajectory. In chapter 6, he first realizes the power of literacy after Mrs. Auld
begins teaching him how to read and is caught by her husband. Mr. Auld admonishes her, saying
that a slave who can read would lead to the slave's "discontent" and general
unhappiness. The only thing a slave should be able to understand, Mr. Auld instructs his wife,
is how to obey his master. Douglass listens carefully to these words, which stirs his soul. For
the first time, he really "understood the pathway from slavery to freedom." He hears
the serious conviction in Mr. Auld's voice, and he therefore believes the truth of what he says.
If Douglass's literacy is a "great evil" to Mr. Auld, then Douglass considers it his
own "great good, to be diligently sought."

In chapter 7, Douglass
realizes that he needs to continue his reading education and has to creatively seek out a path
to make this a reality. He decides to make friends with little white boys in the streets and
convert them into teachers by bribing them with a little bread (which they had need of). Not
only do the boys share their reading knowledge with Douglass, but they also form a friendship
with him, sharing his pains of slavery and hoping with him that something would change to allow
for Douglass's freedom.

These very early lessons in literacy laid a
foundational truth that Douglass would use to change his life. As he was able to read more, his
capacity for reasoning also grew. Thus, the power of literacy provided a path for Douglass to
become one of the greatest orators and abolitionists of his time.