Explain the relationship between knowledge, enslavement, & freedom in Douglass’s narrative.
To defend your main point you must offer evidence in the form of historical facts from the text. Issues raised in the book that might be useful include but are not limited to:
Keeping enslaved people ignorant about basic facts about themselves
• Illiteracy versus the connections between literacy and freedom
• The mystery of Douglass’s paternity.
• Young Douglass and his treatment by the Aulds.
• Douglass’ depression at being literate but unable to change his life.
• Using the Bible and Christianity as a weapon against enslaved people to keep
them under control.