Final answer:
Option (c), Mr. Auld's forceful opposition to Frederick Douglass's education gave rise to Douglass's determination to learn to read and regard literacy as the pathway from slavery to freedom.
Step-by-step explanation:
After Mrs. Auld stops teaching Frederick Douglass, it is c. Mr. Auld's belief against teaching slaves to read that inspires Douglass to continue learning on his own. Douglass recounts the moment Mr. Auld forbade his wife to offer further instruction, emphasising that education could empower a slave and make them unmanageable. As Auld elaborated on the consequences of Douglass learning to read, these words instilled in Douglass a strong desire and determination to learn, making him recognize the pathway from slavery to freedom.
Thus, the opposition to his literacy by Mr. Auld actually inspired Douglass to pursue knowledge with even greater zeal, using the lessons from this episode to fuel his determination.
Douglass provides a vivid account of the Auld's dialogue, illuminating his own purpose and motivation to achieve literacy. His master's fears became an agent for Douglass's relentless pursuit of knowledge. Douglass's mastery of language and eventual advocacy for himself and others can be seen as a testament to the transformative power of literacy.