Compare And Contrast Frederick Douglass And Richard Rodriguez
Written in an eloquent manner, both Frederick Douglass and Richard Rodriguez have a mesmerizing yet laborious narratives about their early lives. Growing up, both authors worked hard to approach literacy and develop their skills. For instance, as a former slave Douglass struggles to learn how to read and write without his owner’s permission. Therefore, he took every opportunity to use the resources around him. Meanwhile, Rodriguez has easy access to books that were ‘essential’ for his education. Overtime, he came to a realization that books are his pleasurable activity that helped build his self-esteem. Despite the differences in time and today’s society use of literacy, Douglass and Rodriguez have some similarities and differences in their
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As well as the fact that both authors lived in different times. Douglass, for example, lived throughout the Antebellum period in which his mistress, “a tender hearted woman” (61), taught him the basics of his education. But then his mistress’ “tender heart became stone... [and she then] commenced to practice her husband’s precepts” (Douglass 61). Due to this caprice, Douglass sees further reasons to continue his education. Although he struggles to read and write, Douglass later came to realization of the importance of his education. He felt that at times learning to read is a curse rather than a blessing and writing is his way of showing equality. Meanwhile, Rodriguez grew up in the twentieth century in which he attended a Catholic school that stressed the importance of books. Given the monthly reading-related inspirational themes, Rodriguez would question what makes books so valuable. He knew that books were crucial for his academic success, but little did he know what books meant to him. Overtime, Rodriguez developed a sense of connection and comfort toward books, in which it shaped him into a confident speaker and writer of English. Ultimately, both authors approached their goals in different manners and ended with different
As well as the fact that both authors lived in different times. Douglass, for example, lived throughout the Antebellum period in which his mistress, “a tender hearted woman” (61), taught him the basics of his education. But then his mistress’ “tender heart became stone... [and she then] commenced to practice her husband’s precepts” (Douglass 61). Due to this caprice, Douglass sees further reasons to continue his education. Although he struggles to read and write, Douglass later came to realization of the importance of his education. He felt that at times learning to read is a curse rather than a blessing and writing is his way of showing equality. Meanwhile, Rodriguez grew up in the twentieth century in which he attended a Catholic school that stressed the importance of books. Given the monthly reading-related inspirational themes, Rodriguez would question what makes books so valuable. He knew that books were crucial for his academic success, but little did he know what books meant to him. Overtime, Rodriguez developed a sense of connection and comfort toward books, in which it shaped him into a confident speaker and writer of English. Ultimately, both authors approached their goals in different manners and ended with different