Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself | Chapter 6 Summary

Sophia Auld is described as being a kind and generous woman who never has owned a slave. She is a weaver by trade. Unlike most women of that era, especially in the South, Auld ran her own business until she married. She treats Douglass in a respectful and courteous manner, going so far as to teach him how to read. Unfortunately, her husband discovers this and forbids these lessons to continue. In thinking about Auld's harsh reaction, Douglass realizes that slaves' illiteracy allows the white man to retain power over slaves. As he states, ''From that moment, I understood the pathway from...

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