Read this excerpt from The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.
To use his own words, further, [Mr. Auld] said, "If you give him an inch, he will take an ell. He should know nothing but to obey, to do as he is told to do. Now," said he, "if you teach [him] (speaking of myself) how to read, there would be no keeping him. It would forever unfit him to be a slave. He would at once become unmanageable, and of no value.
What is Mr. Auld’s attitude toward Douglass?
He believes Douglass is planning an escape and should be monitored.
He believes Douglass is not as capable or as valuable as other enslaved persons.
He believes Douglass would be threatening if he knew how to read.
He believes Douglass should be taught to read and freed from slavery.
