Final answer:
Frederick Douglass's autobiography suggests that while knowledge is perceived as dangerous for a slave, it is also identified as the key to liberation, signifying that education for slaves acts as a pathway to freedom and autonomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Frederick Douglass's autobiography develops the idea that while knowledge can be perceived as dangerous for a slave, education is also portrayed as the key to liberation. This competing idea is deeply embedded in the narrative of Douglass's life, highlighting his journey from slavery to freedom and his relentless pursuit of literacy. Education and slavery are described as incompatible, with Douglas proclaiming how his ability to read and write served as crucial tools in his quest for freedom. Moreover, the narrative underscores that knowledge empowers enslaved individuals to challenge their bonds and catalyze change, despite the oppressive attempts by enslavers to keep them illiterate.
Knowledge is dangerous for a slave because it threatens the institution of slavery, as slave owners understood that educated slaves could become restive and aspire for freedom. However, Douglass himself learned to read and write covertly and used these skills to elevate his status, eventually aiding his escape and contributing to the abolitionist movement as a leading voice against the atrocity of slavery.