Question

Which way didn't Douglas learn how to write?

1) By copying from books
2) By attending writing classes
3) By practicing on his own
4) Cannot be determined

Answer 1

Frederick Douglass did not learn to write by attending writing classes; instead, he used self-taught methods by copying letters, using chalk on various surfaces, and practicing with someone else's writing materials.

Step-by-step explanation:

Douglas did not learn how to write by attending writing classes. Instead, he employed creative and self-initiated methods to gain literacy. At first, Douglas learns the alphabet and basic writing from copying letters seen in the shipyard and challenging boys who could write to compare their skills with his newfound capability. Later, Douglas continues to improve his writing by using chalk to practice on available surfaces like fences, walls, and pavements, and by meticulously copying Italics from Webster's Spelling Book. He also practices by filling in the spaces in his master's son Thomas's copy-books. From his persistence and clever use of the resources available to him, Frederick Douglass ultimately succeeds in his self-taught literacy journey.

Answer 2

Main Answer:

The text doesn't specify how Douglas learned to write, making it impossible to determine the exact method he employed. 4) Cannot be determined.

Therefore, the correct answer is 4) Cannot be determined.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Frederick Douglass's narrative, the specific method by which he learned to write is not explicitly detailed. While the text provides insight into his journey of self-education, it does not explicitly specify whether he learned by copying from books, attending writing classes, or practicing on his own. Douglass faced significant challenges in his pursuit of knowledge, having been born into slavery, and his narrative focuses more on the broader theme of overcoming adversity and the quest for literacy than on the specific means by which he acquired writing skills.

The absence of concrete details regarding Douglass's writing education leaves the question unanswered. His narrative emphasizes the resilience and determination required to learn in the face of systemic oppression. Douglass's path to literacy was likely a combination of resourcefulness, self-study, and an innate desire for knowledge. The lack of a definitive answer reflects the limited opportunities and barriers Douglass faced during a tumultuous period in American history.

Douglass's narrative serves as a powerful testament to the importance of education as a tool for liberation. The ambiguity surrounding the method of his learning adds depth to the narrative, inviting readers to reflect on the broader societal implications of denying education to certain individuals.

Therefore, the correct answer is 4) Cannot be determined.