Question

As I writhed under it, I would at times feel that learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing. It opened my eyes to the horrible pit, but to no ladder upon which to get out. In moments of agony, I envied my fellow slaves for their stupidity. I have often wished myself a beast. I preferred the condition of the meanest reptile to my own. In the excerpt above, which statement best supports the inference that the Frederick Douglass has come to realize the difficulties of his current condition? “As I writhed under it, I would at times feel that learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing” “It had given me a view of my wretched condition, without the remedy.” “I have often wished myself a beast.” “It opened my eyes to the horrible pit, but to no ladder upon which to get out.”

Answer 1

“It opened my eyes to the horrible pit, but to no ladder upon which to get out.”

Step-by-step explanation:

This is the line that best explains how Frederick Douglass has come to realize the difficulties of his current condition. Douglass tells us that when he learned how to read and write, he almost regretted it. This is because learning to read showed him what a sad situation he was in. It made him aware of slavery, and of how trapped he was in this system. This feeling of captivity is what he wants to transmit through the use of the pit with no ladder as a metaphor.

Answer 2

My best guess is "It opened my eyes to the horrible pit, but to no ladder upon which to get out." Since it shows by use of metaphor how he feels the same way as if he were stuck in a pit with no means to escape it. It would be difficult to escape that pit, just as it is difficult to be in the condition he is.