Sherman Alexie and Fredrick Douglass 50 Essays

Comp are and Contrast Education is more or lessthing so hallowed to some lot simply in that location are many people that discover it for granted as well. The Joy of Reading and Writing window glass and Me by Sherman Alexie and Learning to Read and Write by Fredrick Douglass, is similar in many ways. two of these custody were so eager to learn when in the meantime so many people that do begin the luck are so clueless. People are so clueless that there were others, and bland are, that wish they were in a position to easily learn. Both of these men were minorities and grew up many years ago where education was unusual.In their speckle it was besides forbidden in some ways. Although it was tough for both of them, they both felt compelled to dish out learning into their own hands. Alexie refused to be like others and Douglass did as well. Both of these men went through an astonishing experience to discover what they did. non only did they both learn that education is som ething enjoyable, but they learned that it was difficult. Alexie, at three years old, started to teach himself how to read using a window pane comic book. He was quite a prodigy. Native-Americans were stereotypically supposed to fail in the classroom.Although they are different in so many ways, they are also alike in a many ways, Douglass taught himself and Alexie did the same. Although they taught themselves in different ways, they still did. Thats what makes them alike. Slaves werent allowed to read or write and Indians were considered foreigners if they did. Alexie being a Native American and Douglass being a slave, they were both knocked out(p)siders. Growing up an Indian on a Reservation, non much was expected of Alexie in the experience department. We were Indian children who were expected to be stupid (p. 17). Alexie was different.He had a great mind and cherished to put it to use unlike the other Indians. He loved to learn. Alexie was considered an outsider from the N ative Americans because he loved to learn. Alexie says, I was quick. I was arrogant. I was lucky. (p. 17). unconstipated if it made Alexie an outsider or not getting along with his peers, he was still inspired. Even if it did mean he would fight with his classmates he did not give up his petulance for reading. In his joy, however, there was also pain. Alexie writes, I read with equal parts joy and desperation. I loved those books, but I also knew that love had only star purpose.It was trying to only my life (p. 18) . Sherman Alexie didnt just want to be considered a dumb Indian, like all the other Native Americans. He wanted to be smart and have a better life for himself. He wasnt going to permit the color of his skin or where he was born stop him from excelling in life. Fredrick Douglass was first introduced to reading in writing by his masters mistress. Douglass was an African-American slave. Although his master didnt let his mistress teach Douglass, he didnt give up. He wa s dedicated and took matters into his own hands this mistress gave up on him.He started learning to write and read. Douglass figured out how to read and write in the virtually unconventional ways. He traded bread for lessons from schooled poor white boys, and figured out how to write by looking at letters on timber in a ship-yard. Once he had attained those skills, Douglass was met with great desperation. He explains As I read and contemplated the subject (of slavery), behold that very discontentment which Master Hugh had predicted would follow my learning to read had already come, to torment and deposit my soul to unutterable anguish.As I writhed under it, I would at times feel that learning to read had been a curse preferably than a blessing. It had given me a view of my wretched condition, without the remedy. It opened my eye to the horrible pit, but to no ladder upon which to get out. In moments of agony, I envied my fellow-slaves for their stupidity I often found myself r egretting my own existence, and wishing myself all in(p) and but for the hope of being free, I have no dubiousness that I should have killed myself, or done something for which I should have been killed (p. 132).Through his learning, Douglass presently realized that he was not destined to have the lives of the men he read about in books as he would be a slave for life. He wondered if his education had been a curse rather than a gift, and envied the ignorance of his fellow slaves who did not have to feel the same pain that he did. Both of these men realize that the life they thought the had ahead of them wasnt the outcome. That wasnt what they wanted. These men both hoped for the same thing. Sherman Alexie and Frederick Douglasss essays both raise the question In certain situations, is ignorance really bliss?Or is it better to be improve and know the truth, rather than live a life in a vacuum devoid of information or any means of achieving access to the human race beyond your i mmediate community? This is a question one must learn themselves. Education can be both pleasurable and painful. For Alexie and Douglass both, education opened their eyes to the harsh reality of the world. And yet they contributed greatly to it through their own writings. Whether or not one wishes to keep this world closed, is up to each individual.Only you can decide whether or not to take risk of some pain in acquiring knowledge in order to have the opportunity to contribute to the world. While their circumstances, and even their methods of attaining knowledge were different, both of these men were shining examples of what can happen when you follow your passion to learn, and let nothing stand in your way. Both Sherman Alexie and Frederick Douglasss essays are inspiring and open-minded to read. Its a realization that many people take education for granted and arent often reminded the great lengths many people have gone through to learn the things.Some people say that ignorance is bliss. Trying to visualize the answer to ignorance really bliss is fascinating. However there are some people who would rather know the truth than to be left in the dark. Works Sited Sherman Alexies The Joy of Writing Superman and Me 50 Essays A portable Anthology. 3rd edition. Samuel Cohen. Boston Bedford/St. Martins, 2011 15-19. Print. Fredrick Douglasss Learning To Read and Write 50 Essays A Portable Anthology. 3rd edition. Samuel Cohen. Boston Bedford/St. Martins, 2011 129-135. Print.