Compare And Contrast Malcolm X And Frederick Douglass

Both Malcolm X and Frederick Douglass educated themselves. Malcolm X was educated till the 8th grade. As for Frederick he wasn’t educated at all. Once Malcolm was in prison he came across an inmate called by the name of Bimbi. Bimbi was a great speaker and a well-educated man which made Malcolm motivated to start how to read and get educated. Malcolm read books in prison but did not understand what the book was about. Malcolm got ahold

Fredrick Douglass was a slave, who secretly learned how to read and write in many different forms such as his mistress and pieced together the elements of literacy through outside sources such as old books, and writing tools from young children. Unlike Malcom X, he received an education although it was limited, and went to prison where he accessed books from the library. Malcom X stated in his essay Learning to Read, “An inmate was smiled upon if he demonstrated an unusually intense interest in books.” Meaning reading was not allowed for slaves. Unlike Douglass situation, if he would have shown interest in a book he would have been punished for it. Being a slave Douglass had to keep his development in reading and writing hidden while Malcolm insisted on writing letters to Elijah Muhammad with his new acquired vocabulary. This proved that Malcolm’s education was easier to gain unlike Fredrick Douglass, through slavery reading and writing was much

Although reading was beneficial for both men, they found themselves having to hide their readings from the people around them that they could not trust. From the start, both Douglass and Wright found it difficult to lay their hands on literature. Frederick Douglass’s kindhearted mistress taught him how to read; however, she eventually allowed slavery to influence her. Her intentions were no longer the same, which put Douglass in a difficult situation, as he was no longer allowed to read. Douglass was so addicted to reading that he took all opportunities he could get to lay his hands back on a book. In an attempt to show how Douglass had to go behind his mistress’s back, he admits: “When I was sent on errands, I always took my book with me, and by going one part of my errand quickly, I found time to get a lesson before my return” (Douglass 147). What made Douglass different was that he did not let any situation affect his learning. Unfortunately, he quickly realized that in

Can one think undergoing suffrage of unjust slavery and being held in a penitentiary be compared? In the excerpt of Frederick Douglass (Learning to Read and Write) and in Malcolm X (Learning to Read): both dealt with the oppression that the white race as brought to them. Douglass lists the ways which he learns how to read and write. He discusses how everyone is vulnerable to corruption under slavery. In the excerpt of Malcolm he tells the reader how he first started reading and he describes how the white man has always had the upper-hand when it comes to non-white people. Frederick

“Learning to Read” by Malcolm X is a narrative that focuses on him trying to learn how to read in prison and how gaining that ability open up new doors for him. While Malcolm X was in prison, he realized how frustrating it was being unable to read and write what he wanted to read or write which his constant frustration eventually triggers his ambition to try learning those skills. Learning to read in prison helped Malcolm X more than if he went to college because he can concentrate better in the isolation of prison than the many social distractions of college. With only books as his resource, Malcolm X went through a tedious journey of steadily practicing how to read, write, and understand every word he saw, eventually, he accomplished his ambition. Malcolm X focused more on reading and became obsessed with it; he reads almost every day and as much as

He goes to further explain that he would give bread to the poor kids, in order for the kids to give him an educational lesson. He considered that the bread of education was more valuable than food. On the other hand Malcolm X had access to a full library of books, but his true battle was finding time to read. “So when ‘lights out’ came, I would sit on the floor where I could continue reading…”(X 284). Malcolm X describes the methods he used to continue reading even after he should sleep.

Given the hurdles that Douglass was required to overcome, his ingenuity in self-education is more than outstanding. He writes that he was forced to "resort to various stratagems" in order to be successful (939). One of these methods was to challenge other boys that were literate to writing contests in which he would practice and prove his ability to write the alphabet. As a slave, he recognized that these were the writing "lessons" that he might not have received in any other way (942).

There are multiple similarities and differences between “Learning to Read and Write” by Frederick Douglass and “Learning to Read” by Malcolm X. For example, both authors were unwillingly enslaved, which motivated their desire to read, write and speak their mind. Malcolm X was falsely accused and sentenced to prison while Frederick was a life-bound slave. Through their situations, they both found a similar benefit: reading and writing. Both men were also influenced by people and literature. Frederick Douglass received brief teachings from his mistress and knowledge from challenging literate children, which positively impacted his level of reading and writing.

Malcolm X and Frederick Douglass Timed Writing In the essays “Learning to Read” by Malcolm X, and “Learning to Read and Write” by Frederick Douglass, the two authors use rhetoric and structure, like imagery, irony, and diction, to promote their beliefs that African Americans have been treated unfairly by Caucasians throughout history, and in order for one to feel empowered, one must have knowledge. Malcolm X was imprisoned, and spend every waking minute reading anything he could get his hands on. While Frederick Douglass obtained knowledge through non-traditional ways, and did whatever he could to learn how to read.

Douglass was lucky enough to have Sophia teach him how to read, but Huge would not allow her to continue, for he believed “learning would forever unfit him to be a slave” (Douglass, 1171). Though, Hugh did not allow this any longer, Douglass found ways to learn how to read and write on his own. After seven years in Baltimore, Douglass returned to Thomas

Because of the two distinct time periods, Frederick Douglass and Malcolm X overcame different obstacles. Douglass grew up in a time in which laws were in place that prevented African Americans from getting an education. In his early years, Douglass was taught how read by his slaveholder’s wife. Not only was his life in danger but hers also. As said by Frederick Douglass,” Education and slavery were incompatible with each other.” The slaveholder’s wife soon stopped the lessons configuring to the mindset of her husband. Douglass could have chosen to stop learning once his teacher discontinued it , but he instead he took “the inch” and continued his education.

Even though they lived in different time periods, they still had the same idea of learning. First of all, they were all “imprisoned” from the outside world. I put quotations in imprisoned because they were sometimes physically imprisoned, but also mentally. Frederick was a slave at the time, and he was owned by someone and was punished by his people. According to the book” Learning how to read and write, he says,”Slavery soon proved its ability to divest these heavily qualities…more violent in her opposition than her husband herself.’’ He slowly read at his own time and eventually learned by giving food to children who did learn how. Malcolm was actually imprisoned and decided to read to follow the dreams of a leader. Sandra lastly, learned because he felt lonely and mentally imprisoned to her family. In addition, she did learn so she can impress her father. From her father's perspective, it seemed like she was just a housewife from his eyes and could never get a job that could be more of what his sons could do. Another similarities was that they wanted to do it so they can make someone be happy, not just on Sandra. Frederick felt like he wanted to read because he can show her once friendly mistress, who once taught him how to read and write, that he can actually do it. Malcolm wanted to impress Elijah Muhammad because he seemed like a father to him.In his autobiography, he claims,’’I wanted to convey those letters, especially those to Mr Elijah Muhammad.’’ And lastly, Sandra wanted to impress her family, especially her

In “Learning to Read” Malcolm X a man who used his time in prison to educate himself so that he can better his life. Malcolm points out his motivation for wanting to read and what steps he took to learn. Through Malcolm motivations and steps, it can become an impact to people that can relate. To be able to Self-educate himself Malcolm used all the resources that were around him. In books, found what impacted him the most.

Douglass, Fredrick in the book review “Learning to Read and Write,” explains that even though he was a slave, it was essential for him to learn to read and write despite the unfortunate circumstance he was faced with. Douglass supports his claim by describing how learning to read and write does not require certain material nor resources; as long as passion and dedication are present, it is completely possible to obtain these skills. The author’s purpose is to inform the readers that specific resources and assets are not required in learning the fundamentals of literature in order to show the significance of education and its perks. The author writes in a dignified tone for the educated individuals. Douglass

This paragraph discusses about the difficulties and obstacles encountered by Douglass as he learns to read and write. In many ways, becoming literate should be a spontaneous, fun process that brings complacency and contentedness. However, as Douglass is born as a slave, the restrictions enforced by his slaveholder has impelled him to seek education in various ingenious strategies. When his mistress first started teaching him how to read, he feels distressed and uneasy. This is because he thinks that it is dangerous to treat a slave like a human-being, and what’s more to educate a thrall who is supposedly to labor, day and night. The situation deteriorates when she embraces this convention and stops educating Douglass. For instance, Douglass