In literature, a paradox is a statement or phrase that initially seems contradictory but is inherently true. Frederick Douglass develops the concept of a paradox when he describes how learning to read affected his life:

As I writhed under it, I would at times feel that learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing (53).

This statement is considered a paradox because one would initially think that becoming literate has nothing but positive effects on an enslaved person. However, Frederick Douglass elaborates on why he felt that reading was also a curse, saying,

It [the ability to read] had given me a view of my wretched condition, without the remedy (53).

Before Douglass learned to read, he was not fully aware of the horrific conditions of institutionalized slavery and had very little knowledge regarding how slaveowners manipulated and controlled their slaves, beyond his own personal experience. Douglass uses another paradox to describe his feelings regarding reading and learning:

In moments of agony, I envied my fellow-slaves for their stupidity. I have often wished myself a beast (53).

Once Frederick began reading, his mind could no longer rest, and he was constantly tormented with thoughts of freedom. Frederick mentions that freedom completely consumed his mind and admits that he often contemplated suicide in order to escape from his wretched condition. The other ignorant, illiterate slaves had no concept of freedom and often accepted their lives as slaves.

A paradox is somewhat like irony; paradox exists when something contradictory appears to be true or something that expresses a contradictory nature.  Basically, paradox can mean contrast.  For Douglass, he presents this idea when he creates antithesis with statements like "the wretchedness of slavery and the blessedness of freedom were before me," and "It was life and death for me." How can the two exist simultaneously? When he discusses his escape to the free state of New York, he initially feels happy, but he soon becomes paranoid and terrorized with the fear that he might be captured and returned to the south. A paradox exists because he should feel happy and should now be able to live a life of freedom since he is in a free state, but he cannot be free or happy because he remains trapped in his fears and distrust of those around him.