Markeia Scruggs
October 19, 2009
Lit Response
“Young Goodman Brown”
“Young Goodman Brown”(S) is (V) a puzzling story that has many factors that help (D.O) to contribute to that mysteriousness (I.O). (TO BE ) In this story (S), he leaves (V) his newly wed wife (D.O) to journey into the forest in which he plans to return the next morning. Although Brown (S) has (V) some suspicions of unholy dealings, he continues on his journey. The story (S) is (V) set in Salem, Massachusetts, which at the time was big on witchery, and feeds into the whole Puritanism and American Gothicism ideal. (TO BE)The fact that it is during the time of the Salem Witch Trials (S) gives (V) the story more intensity. (TO BE)
“Young Goodman Brown”(S), written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is (V) a mysterious story of Goodman Brown’s encounters. (TO BE) On his journey (S) he has (V) many strange encounters and many hints that warn him, he just doesn’t listen until it’s too late. (TO BE) The setting (S) creates (V) great imagery which is a contributing factor to its American Gothicism characteristics. These factors (S) help (V) to paint a picture that in this case can’t be solved.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The Minister's Black Veil
Markeia Scruggs
October 20, 2009
Lit Response
“The Minister’s Black Veil A Parable”
“The Minister’s Black Veil a Parable” is a story of a mysterious man who comes into town and in a way disturbs it. In this story, Mr. Hooper wears a black veil, in which he never removes for anyone, and that seems to bother the townspeople. This veil that he wears covers the entire face, except the mouth and chin. When he attends a funeral, it seems to be appropriate, but when he attends a wedding with the dreadful veil on everyone remorses him. No one knows why he wears the veil, not even his fiancée, Elizabeth. She asks him many times to remove it and he doesn’t, nor does he tell her why he wears it. As a result, she leaves him, breaking off their engagement. Though many people abandon and despise Hooper for his veil, it proves to make him a better clergyman. At his death bed, Elizabeth tries to get him to remove his veil again, but he refuses and ends by stating that everyone wears a veil. This mysterious veil is used by Hawthorne to set the tone of dull American Gothicism. In this story, he uses many elements to do so.
Hooper was actually regarded as a normal person in the beginning. The text states, “a gentlemanly person of about thirty, though still a bachelor…dressed with clerical neatness, as if a careful wife had starched his band and brushed the weekly dust from his Sunday’s garb.” Because the people of the town didn’t understand his intentions for wearing the black veil, they criticized and judged him. “Such was the effect of this simple piece of crape, that more than one woman of delicate nerves was forced to leave the meeting-house. Yet perhaps the pale-faced congregation was almost as fearful a sight to the minister, as his black veil to them.” Hawthorne writes.
Symbolism is used heavily in this story. The black veil in this case represents secret sin. To Hooper, a minister, everyone wore a black veil because everyone has something to hide. “Why do you tremble at me alone? cried he, turning his veiled face round the circle of pale spectators. Tremble also at each other! Have men avoided me, and women shown no pity, and children screamed and fled, only for my black veil? What, but mystery which obscurely typifies, has made this piece of crape so awful? When the friend shows his inmost heart to his friend; the lover to his best beloved; when man does not vainly shrink from the eye of his Creator, loathsomely treasuring up the secret of his sin; then deem me a monster, for the symbol beneath which I have lived, and die! I look around me, and, lo! On every visage a Black Veil!” Hawthorne’s intense diction finally reveals Hooper’s inner thoughts and feelings, which in a way were concealed by the veil also through out the entire story.
“The Minister’s Black Veil A Parable” is a story that outlines the true nature of human kind. It gives a story within a story and does so by creating an element of suspense. Nathaniel Hawthorne uses many literary elements to feed into the American Gothicism heading. This story definitely makes the reader feel the intensity of the story and American Gothicism in literature.
October 20, 2009
Lit Response
“The Minister’s Black Veil A Parable”
“The Minister’s Black Veil a Parable” is a story of a mysterious man who comes into town and in a way disturbs it. In this story, Mr. Hooper wears a black veil, in which he never removes for anyone, and that seems to bother the townspeople. This veil that he wears covers the entire face, except the mouth and chin. When he attends a funeral, it seems to be appropriate, but when he attends a wedding with the dreadful veil on everyone remorses him. No one knows why he wears the veil, not even his fiancée, Elizabeth. She asks him many times to remove it and he doesn’t, nor does he tell her why he wears it. As a result, she leaves him, breaking off their engagement. Though many people abandon and despise Hooper for his veil, it proves to make him a better clergyman. At his death bed, Elizabeth tries to get him to remove his veil again, but he refuses and ends by stating that everyone wears a veil. This mysterious veil is used by Hawthorne to set the tone of dull American Gothicism. In this story, he uses many elements to do so.
Hooper was actually regarded as a normal person in the beginning. The text states, “a gentlemanly person of about thirty, though still a bachelor…dressed with clerical neatness, as if a careful wife had starched his band and brushed the weekly dust from his Sunday’s garb.” Because the people of the town didn’t understand his intentions for wearing the black veil, they criticized and judged him. “Such was the effect of this simple piece of crape, that more than one woman of delicate nerves was forced to leave the meeting-house. Yet perhaps the pale-faced congregation was almost as fearful a sight to the minister, as his black veil to them.” Hawthorne writes.
Symbolism is used heavily in this story. The black veil in this case represents secret sin. To Hooper, a minister, everyone wore a black veil because everyone has something to hide. “Why do you tremble at me alone? cried he, turning his veiled face round the circle of pale spectators. Tremble also at each other! Have men avoided me, and women shown no pity, and children screamed and fled, only for my black veil? What, but mystery which obscurely typifies, has made this piece of crape so awful? When the friend shows his inmost heart to his friend; the lover to his best beloved; when man does not vainly shrink from the eye of his Creator, loathsomely treasuring up the secret of his sin; then deem me a monster, for the symbol beneath which I have lived, and die! I look around me, and, lo! On every visage a Black Veil!” Hawthorne’s intense diction finally reveals Hooper’s inner thoughts and feelings, which in a way were concealed by the veil also through out the entire story.
“The Minister’s Black Veil A Parable” is a story that outlines the true nature of human kind. It gives a story within a story and does so by creating an element of suspense. Nathaniel Hawthorne uses many literary elements to feed into the American Gothicism heading. This story definitely makes the reader feel the intensity of the story and American Gothicism in literature.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Young Goodman Brown
Markeia Scruggs
October 19, 2009
Lit Response
“Young Goodman Brown”
“Young Goodman Brown” is a puzzling story that has many factors that help to contribute to that mysteriousness. In this story, he leaves his newly wed wife to journey into the forest in which he plans to return the next morning. Although Brown has some suspicions of unholy dealings, he continues on his journey. The story is set in Salem, Massachusetts, which at the time was big on witchery, and feeds into the whole Puritanism and American Gothicism ideal. The fact that it is during the time of the Salem Witch Trials gives the story more intensity.
During his journey through the forest, he finds that many townspeople are coming to the meeting. The fact that Christians, ministers and deacons from his town accompany him seems to reassure Brown that his destination is in fact safe, though it contradicts the actual meaning of the trip. Hawthorne writes, “It vexed him the more, because he could have sworn, were such a thing possible, that he recognized the voices of the minister and Deacon Gookin, jogging along quietly, as they were wont to do, when bound to some ordination or ecclesiastical council. While yet within hearing, one of the riders stopped to pluck a switch.” The fact that he realizes that these “holy” and trustworthy people are accompanying him gives Brown a sense of security. He once again is swayed to continue on his journey.
Upon actually realizing what is going on, Brown tries to save his wife, Faith, from being converted. The text states, “Faith! Shouted Goodman Brown, in a voice of agony and desperation; and the echoes of the forest mocked him, crying, Faith! Faith! As if bewildered wretches were seeking her all through the wilderness…Look up to heaven, and resist the wicked one.” After that moment, Brown finds himself alone in the forest. He travels back to Salem where his life seems back to normal. Nothing seems to have changed, but Brown knows what he encountered, he just doesn’t know if it is reality or a dream. Soon Brown dies, but his family seems to take light of it. “And when he had lived long, and was borne to his grave a hoary corpse, followed by Faith, an aged woman, and children and grandchildren, a goodly procession, besides neighbors not a few, they carved no hopeful verse upon his tombstone, for his dying hour was gloom.” Hawthorne writes.
“Young Goodman Brown”, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is a mysterious story of Goodman Brown’s encounters. On his journey he has many strange encounters and many hints that warn him, he just doesn’t listen until it’s too late. The setting creates great imagery which is a contributing factor to its American Gothicism characteristics. These factors help to paint a picture, that in this case can’t be solved.
October 19, 2009
Lit Response
“Young Goodman Brown”
“Young Goodman Brown” is a puzzling story that has many factors that help to contribute to that mysteriousness. In this story, he leaves his newly wed wife to journey into the forest in which he plans to return the next morning. Although Brown has some suspicions of unholy dealings, he continues on his journey. The story is set in Salem, Massachusetts, which at the time was big on witchery, and feeds into the whole Puritanism and American Gothicism ideal. The fact that it is during the time of the Salem Witch Trials gives the story more intensity.
During his journey through the forest, he finds that many townspeople are coming to the meeting. The fact that Christians, ministers and deacons from his town accompany him seems to reassure Brown that his destination is in fact safe, though it contradicts the actual meaning of the trip. Hawthorne writes, “It vexed him the more, because he could have sworn, were such a thing possible, that he recognized the voices of the minister and Deacon Gookin, jogging along quietly, as they were wont to do, when bound to some ordination or ecclesiastical council. While yet within hearing, one of the riders stopped to pluck a switch.” The fact that he realizes that these “holy” and trustworthy people are accompanying him gives Brown a sense of security. He once again is swayed to continue on his journey.
Upon actually realizing what is going on, Brown tries to save his wife, Faith, from being converted. The text states, “Faith! Shouted Goodman Brown, in a voice of agony and desperation; and the echoes of the forest mocked him, crying, Faith! Faith! As if bewildered wretches were seeking her all through the wilderness…Look up to heaven, and resist the wicked one.” After that moment, Brown finds himself alone in the forest. He travels back to Salem where his life seems back to normal. Nothing seems to have changed, but Brown knows what he encountered, he just doesn’t know if it is reality or a dream. Soon Brown dies, but his family seems to take light of it. “And when he had lived long, and was borne to his grave a hoary corpse, followed by Faith, an aged woman, and children and grandchildren, a goodly procession, besides neighbors not a few, they carved no hopeful verse upon his tombstone, for his dying hour was gloom.” Hawthorne writes.
“Young Goodman Brown”, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is a mysterious story of Goodman Brown’s encounters. On his journey he has many strange encounters and many hints that warn him, he just doesn’t listen until it’s too late. The setting creates great imagery which is a contributing factor to its American Gothicism characteristics. These factors help to paint a picture, that in this case can’t be solved.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
"The Devil and Tom Walker" Washington Irving
Markeia Scruggs
October 15, 2009
Lit Response
“The Devil and Tom Walker”
“The Devil and Tom Walker” is a story from the American gothic era in literature. In this story, Irving tells a story of Tom Walker’s dealings with the devil. It tells of how he stumbled upon the devil’s treasures and how he and his wife went missing. With a central theme of greed and being set in New England in 1727, Irving creates a scene of dreariness. His work is the exact opposite of Puritan beliefs, and therefore he incorporates hostility towards them within “The Devil and Tom Walker.” Washington Irving uses many literary devices to critique the puritans.
In “The Devil and Tom Walker” the treasure seems to contradict itself. Because it is treasure, it is a wonderful thing that can bring wonderful materialistic things. On the other hand, it’s the devil’s treasure, and it seems to come with some dire consequences. The text states, “Under one of these gigantic trees, according to old stories, there was a great amount of treasure buried by Kidd the pirate…The old stories add, moreover, that the devil presided at the hiding of the money, and took it under his guardianship; but this, it is well known, he always does with buried treasure, particularly when it has been ill gotten.” Even though it’s a great treasure to possess, it brings troubles. For example, “As he scrambled up the tree the vulture spread its wide wings, and sailed off screaming into the deep shadows of the forest. Tom seized the check apron, but woful sight! Found nothing but a heart and liver tied up in it.” Irving writes. This is also an example of how he indirectly criticizes puritans. He openly discusses the gruesomeness of the story. This is a prime example of American Gothicism.
The disappearance of Tom Walker adds to the claim of American Gothicism. The text states, “Tom Walker never returned to foreclose the mortgage. A countryman who lived on the borders of the swamp, reported that in the height of the thunder gust he had heard a great clattering of hoofs and a howling along the road, and that when he ran to the window he just caught sight of a figure, such as I have described, on a horse that galloped like mad across the fields, over the hills and down into the black hemlock swamp towards the old Indian fort; and that shortly after a thunderbolt fell in that direction which seemed to set the whole forest in a blaze.” This intense use of diction combined with vivid imagery makes the story that much more interesting. It adds to the effect of the Gothicism. It also makes the story duller. With that said, it obviously contradicts that whole idea of Puritanism.
It can be concluded that Washington Irving does a great job with supporting the claim of dreary Gothicism. It obviously goes against every aspect of Puritanism. As a story from the American Gothicism era in literature, it successfully fulfills the position.
October 15, 2009
Lit Response
“The Devil and Tom Walker”
“The Devil and Tom Walker” is a story from the American gothic era in literature. In this story, Irving tells a story of Tom Walker’s dealings with the devil. It tells of how he stumbled upon the devil’s treasures and how he and his wife went missing. With a central theme of greed and being set in New England in 1727, Irving creates a scene of dreariness. His work is the exact opposite of Puritan beliefs, and therefore he incorporates hostility towards them within “The Devil and Tom Walker.” Washington Irving uses many literary devices to critique the puritans.
In “The Devil and Tom Walker” the treasure seems to contradict itself. Because it is treasure, it is a wonderful thing that can bring wonderful materialistic things. On the other hand, it’s the devil’s treasure, and it seems to come with some dire consequences. The text states, “Under one of these gigantic trees, according to old stories, there was a great amount of treasure buried by Kidd the pirate…The old stories add, moreover, that the devil presided at the hiding of the money, and took it under his guardianship; but this, it is well known, he always does with buried treasure, particularly when it has been ill gotten.” Even though it’s a great treasure to possess, it brings troubles. For example, “As he scrambled up the tree the vulture spread its wide wings, and sailed off screaming into the deep shadows of the forest. Tom seized the check apron, but woful sight! Found nothing but a heart and liver tied up in it.” Irving writes. This is also an example of how he indirectly criticizes puritans. He openly discusses the gruesomeness of the story. This is a prime example of American Gothicism.
The disappearance of Tom Walker adds to the claim of American Gothicism. The text states, “Tom Walker never returned to foreclose the mortgage. A countryman who lived on the borders of the swamp, reported that in the height of the thunder gust he had heard a great clattering of hoofs and a howling along the road, and that when he ran to the window he just caught sight of a figure, such as I have described, on a horse that galloped like mad across the fields, over the hills and down into the black hemlock swamp towards the old Indian fort; and that shortly after a thunderbolt fell in that direction which seemed to set the whole forest in a blaze.” This intense use of diction combined with vivid imagery makes the story that much more interesting. It adds to the effect of the Gothicism. It also makes the story duller. With that said, it obviously contradicts that whole idea of Puritanism.
It can be concluded that Washington Irving does a great job with supporting the claim of dreary Gothicism. It obviously goes against every aspect of Puritanism. As a story from the American Gothicism era in literature, it successfully fulfills the position.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Outside Reading Project (Founding Brothers) critical summary and adjective-itis
Markeia Scruggs
October 13, 2009
Outside reading essay
“Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation”
“Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation” is a composition of stories of six events in American history that helped to form the nation we have today. Arthur, Joseph J. Ellis, combines strong diction and ground facts to take on and explain the controversies that have burdened America since it’s founding. This extremely complex and intricate book explains the most famous events in history and how they have created controversies. The overall content of the book is really informative and interesting, though the diction can be a little complicated and hard to comprehend at some points.
The most important characters in the book are Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, and James Madison. These seven men are the founding brothers of the United States of America. It may seem weird to connect them so sacredly and closely, but in a way, they are like brothers. The worked together as do brothers to get to their end result of a nation. They are also like brothers, because they all fought for their precious treasure, America, so that she can be well taken care of. Though they may have had conflicts with each other occasionally, they were still connected as brothers who created a nation. For example, the infamous duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. Like brothers, they fought and had differences of opinions, but in the end, they worked together to craft America.
In summary, Joseph J. Ellis used these important events that resulted in controversies to explain how the United States was formed. He used the tasks of our “founding brothers” and analyzes and describes their importance to the reader. By doing this I have received a better understanding of these events and their results. Because such great diction and description was used, I can now explain to others the founding brothers and how they founded our nation.
Markeia Scruggs
October 13, 2009
Adjective-itis
1. Proud
Alexander Hamilton, as described in “Founding Brothers”, was a proud individual. According to the book, an individual was given the choice to either accept or decline a duel. If declined, the individual is deemed to be a coward and thought of as less of a man. As a result, Hamilton proudly accepted. He is also viewed as proud because he chose to not apologize or even acknowledge the fact that he tainted Aaron Burr’s election.
2. Determined
John Adams was a determined being because he was successful in the aspects of his life. He received a good education and continued on to become a constitutional lawyer.
3. Leader
George Washington was obviously a leader. He was the first president of the United States, and was commander-in-chief of the army. He was a highly respected being and that’s why he deserves the title of leader.
4. Informative
“Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation” is an extremely informative book. It gave an insight on what many may’ve never known about important events in history.
5. Complex
“Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation” is an extremely descriptive book. It uses large vocabulary terms and the diction can be confusing.
October 13, 2009
Outside reading essay
“Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation”
“Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation” is a composition of stories of six events in American history that helped to form the nation we have today. Arthur, Joseph J. Ellis, combines strong diction and ground facts to take on and explain the controversies that have burdened America since it’s founding. This extremely complex and intricate book explains the most famous events in history and how they have created controversies. The overall content of the book is really informative and interesting, though the diction can be a little complicated and hard to comprehend at some points.
The most important characters in the book are Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, and James Madison. These seven men are the founding brothers of the United States of America. It may seem weird to connect them so sacredly and closely, but in a way, they are like brothers. The worked together as do brothers to get to their end result of a nation. They are also like brothers, because they all fought for their precious treasure, America, so that she can be well taken care of. Though they may have had conflicts with each other occasionally, they were still connected as brothers who created a nation. For example, the infamous duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. Like brothers, they fought and had differences of opinions, but in the end, they worked together to craft America.
In summary, Joseph J. Ellis used these important events that resulted in controversies to explain how the United States was formed. He used the tasks of our “founding brothers” and analyzes and describes their importance to the reader. By doing this I have received a better understanding of these events and their results. Because such great diction and description was used, I can now explain to others the founding brothers and how they founded our nation.
Markeia Scruggs
October 13, 2009
Adjective-itis
1. Proud
Alexander Hamilton, as described in “Founding Brothers”, was a proud individual. According to the book, an individual was given the choice to either accept or decline a duel. If declined, the individual is deemed to be a coward and thought of as less of a man. As a result, Hamilton proudly accepted. He is also viewed as proud because he chose to not apologize or even acknowledge the fact that he tainted Aaron Burr’s election.
2. Determined
John Adams was a determined being because he was successful in the aspects of his life. He received a good education and continued on to become a constitutional lawyer.
3. Leader
George Washington was obviously a leader. He was the first president of the United States, and was commander-in-chief of the army. He was a highly respected being and that’s why he deserves the title of leader.
4. Informative
“Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation” is an extremely informative book. It gave an insight on what many may’ve never known about important events in history.
5. Complex
“Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation” is an extremely descriptive book. It uses large vocabulary terms and the diction can be confusing.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Incidents in the life of a slave girl lit response
Markeia Scruggs
Period 2
2 page lit response
“Incidents in the life of a slave girl” takes place during the time of slavery, hence the name. Linda Brent, the author, tells the story of her life as a slave. She also highlights the ups and downs of her childhood. Her work was authenticated by Lydia Maria Child, a white woman; therefore, it is open to the public. She wrote this painful autobiography in hopes of contributing to the antislavery movement.
“READER, be assured this narrative is no fiction. I am aware that some of my adventures may seem incredible; but they are, nevertheless, strictly true. I have not exaggerated the wrongs inflicted by Slavery; on the contrary, my descriptions fall far short of the facts.” the text states. She opens with these strong words in an attempt to appeal to the pathos of her readers. She is mainly attempting to appeal to the pathos of her white readers to inform them of the authenticity of her work. As a slave, she knows that her white readers will doubt her work, so she opens by telling her white audience that her work is true.
“When he told me that I was made for his use, made to obey his command in every thing; that I was nothing but a slave, whose will must and should surrender to his, never before had my puny arm felt half so strong.” Brent states. Even though Brent knows that Dr. Flint is legal authority over her, she still has the power to oppose. His pushing drives her to become rebellious and affects her future as well. She realizes at this point that Dr. Flint owns her physical being, but she is spiritually free of any shackles.
Brent states, “Reader, my story ends with freedom; not in the usual way, with marriage. I and my children are now free! We are as free from the power of slave holders as are the white people of the north; and though that, according to my ideas, is not saying a great deal, it is a vast improvement in my condition.” Her story doesn’t end with a wedding. It does end with freedom though. Brent makes the point in her autobiography that slaves can’t be judged by to the laws and morals of the liberated world.
“Incidents in the life of a slave girl” explains the life ordeals of a slave girl named Linda Brent. She goes through many things in her life to eventually find freedom. The corruptive power of slavery was obviously evident in the story. Many important lessons were learned through the tribulations of her life.
Period 2
2 page lit response
“Incidents in the life of a slave girl” takes place during the time of slavery, hence the name. Linda Brent, the author, tells the story of her life as a slave. She also highlights the ups and downs of her childhood. Her work was authenticated by Lydia Maria Child, a white woman; therefore, it is open to the public. She wrote this painful autobiography in hopes of contributing to the antislavery movement.
“READER, be assured this narrative is no fiction. I am aware that some of my adventures may seem incredible; but they are, nevertheless, strictly true. I have not exaggerated the wrongs inflicted by Slavery; on the contrary, my descriptions fall far short of the facts.” the text states. She opens with these strong words in an attempt to appeal to the pathos of her readers. She is mainly attempting to appeal to the pathos of her white readers to inform them of the authenticity of her work. As a slave, she knows that her white readers will doubt her work, so she opens by telling her white audience that her work is true.
“When he told me that I was made for his use, made to obey his command in every thing; that I was nothing but a slave, whose will must and should surrender to his, never before had my puny arm felt half so strong.” Brent states. Even though Brent knows that Dr. Flint is legal authority over her, she still has the power to oppose. His pushing drives her to become rebellious and affects her future as well. She realizes at this point that Dr. Flint owns her physical being, but she is spiritually free of any shackles.
Brent states, “Reader, my story ends with freedom; not in the usual way, with marriage. I and my children are now free! We are as free from the power of slave holders as are the white people of the north; and though that, according to my ideas, is not saying a great deal, it is a vast improvement in my condition.” Her story doesn’t end with a wedding. It does end with freedom though. Brent makes the point in her autobiography that slaves can’t be judged by to the laws and morals of the liberated world.
“Incidents in the life of a slave girl” explains the life ordeals of a slave girl named Linda Brent. She goes through many things in her life to eventually find freedom. The corruptive power of slavery was obviously evident in the story. Many important lessons were learned through the tribulations of her life.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Learning to read and write
Markeia Scruggs
October 6, 2009
2 pg lit response
In “Learning to Read and Write”, Frederick Douglas uses various methods to become literate. Douglas used his wit to think of various to learn to read and write. Frederick Douglas uses rhetoric while supporting his claim.
In many parts of the text, Douglas appeals to pathos. I believe he appeals to pathos in order to make the reader feel sympathy and feel the way he felt. Also, Douglas sounds as though he is speaking to a specific audience while appealing to pathos. It seems as though he is speaking to African-Americans because he knows that we can connect to what he is saying. The text states, “The more I read, the more I was led to abhor and detest my enslavers. I could regard them in no other light than a band of successful robbers, who had left their homes, and gone to Africa, and stolen us from our homes; and in a strange land reduced us to slavery. I loathed them as being the meanest as well as the most wicked of men.” Douglas certainly doesn’t sound as though he’s speaking to a white audience.
Frederick Douglas also appeals to pathos by stating, “I used to talk this matter of slavery over with them. I would sometimes say to them, I wished I could be as free as they would be when they got to be men. You will be free as soon as you are twenty-one, but I am a slave for life! Have not I as good a right to be free as you have?” These strong words give the passage a new meaning. They strongly appeal to pathos, because Douglas wants the reader to know his struggle. He wants the reader to feel his pain and hardship. He’s telling us that he deserves to be free too and he yearns for unattainable freedom.
In the passage, Douglas explains how he used his wit to learn to read and write. This is extremely ironic, seeing that slaves were deemed as unintelligent. For example, “Mistress, in teaching me the alphabet, had given me the inch, and no precaution could prevent me from taking the ell. The plan which I adopted, and the one by which I was most successful, was that of making friends of all the little white boys whom I met in the street. As many of these as I could, I converted into teachers.” the text states. For Douglas to be a “slave” he was extremely intelligent. He used his intelligence to become smarter.
Through this passage, Frederick Douglas explains how he became literate. He used his intelligence to become even more intelligence. He used many different ways in which to learn to read and write. He used rhetoric to prove his claim. His appeal to pathos makes the passage all the more meaningful.
October 6, 2009
2 pg lit response
In “Learning to Read and Write”, Frederick Douglas uses various methods to become literate. Douglas used his wit to think of various to learn to read and write. Frederick Douglas uses rhetoric while supporting his claim.
In many parts of the text, Douglas appeals to pathos. I believe he appeals to pathos in order to make the reader feel sympathy and feel the way he felt. Also, Douglas sounds as though he is speaking to a specific audience while appealing to pathos. It seems as though he is speaking to African-Americans because he knows that we can connect to what he is saying. The text states, “The more I read, the more I was led to abhor and detest my enslavers. I could regard them in no other light than a band of successful robbers, who had left their homes, and gone to Africa, and stolen us from our homes; and in a strange land reduced us to slavery. I loathed them as being the meanest as well as the most wicked of men.” Douglas certainly doesn’t sound as though he’s speaking to a white audience.
Frederick Douglas also appeals to pathos by stating, “I used to talk this matter of slavery over with them. I would sometimes say to them, I wished I could be as free as they would be when they got to be men. You will be free as soon as you are twenty-one, but I am a slave for life! Have not I as good a right to be free as you have?” These strong words give the passage a new meaning. They strongly appeal to pathos, because Douglas wants the reader to know his struggle. He wants the reader to feel his pain and hardship. He’s telling us that he deserves to be free too and he yearns for unattainable freedom.
In the passage, Douglas explains how he used his wit to learn to read and write. This is extremely ironic, seeing that slaves were deemed as unintelligent. For example, “Mistress, in teaching me the alphabet, had given me the inch, and no precaution could prevent me from taking the ell. The plan which I adopted, and the one by which I was most successful, was that of making friends of all the little white boys whom I met in the street. As many of these as I could, I converted into teachers.” the text states. For Douglas to be a “slave” he was extremely intelligent. He used his intelligence to become smarter.
Through this passage, Frederick Douglas explains how he became literate. He used his intelligence to become even more intelligence. He used many different ways in which to learn to read and write. He used rhetoric to prove his claim. His appeal to pathos makes the passage all the more meaningful.
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