“If you teach that nigger (speaking of myself ) how to read, there would be no keeping him. It would forever unfit him to be a slave. He would at once become unmanageable, and of no value to his master” (p. 49).
“I now understood what had been to me a most perplexing difficulty—to wit, the white man’s power to enslave the black man. It was a grand achievement, and I prized it highly. From that moment, I understood the pathway from slavery to freedom” (p. 49). (Education)
“In learning to read, I owe almost as much to the bitter opposition of my master, as to the kindly aid of my mistress. I acknowledge the benefit of both” (p. 50). (Education) *
Blog question of the week: Why was education, for the slaves of the 1800's, the key to freedom? In what ways do these quotes apply today to our society, other societies? In what areas can you apply these quotes?
Reading Uncle Tom's cabin, you are. (What literary device is that? For extra credit)