Final answer:
Both 'The Story of My Life' and 'Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass' showcase the central idea of literacy and education as transformative powers that lead to personal autonomy and broader social change.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major central idea shared by both 'The Story of My Life' and 'Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave' is the transformative power of literacy and education. For Helen Keller, author of 'The Story of My Life', literacy was the key to unlocking her world of silence and darkness and connecting her with others. In contrast, for Frederick Douglass, literacy represented freedom from the bonds of slavery, providing a path to emancipation and an ability to fight against the system of oppression. Both narratives emphasize the idea that knowledge is empowering and instrumental to personal development and social change.
In 'Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass', Douglass details his pursuit of learning to read and write under the oppressive conditions of slavery. He uses literacy as a means to understand his place in the world and to ultimately gain his freedom. His narrative illustrates that education is not merely academic; it is a critical tool for social justice. Similarly, Helen Keller's story underscores the capacity of education to bridge gaps caused by physical limitations, fostering independence and connection with the wider world.
Therefore, literacy and education stand as the bedrock for both Keller's and Douglass's triumph over adversity, displaying how essential it is in shaping one's destiny and challenging societal barriers. Through their experiences, they demonstrate that the quest for knowledge can lead to transformative personal and societal outcomes.