What led to Douglass's resistive attitude?

In class on Tuesday we spoke about the influence that literacy and writing both have on Douglass’s life. Literacy, however, in Douglass’s life, correlates directly with a resistive attitude that he develops over time. From the moment Mr. Auld explains to his wife that teaching a slave to read would ‘ruin’ him or make him ‘unfit’ to be a slave, Douglass becomes determined to learn these skills. However, Douglass’s resistive demeanor shines exceedingly bright when Mr. Auld states that learning to read and write would be extremely beneficial to slaves, which is precisely why it should remain an exclusively white activity. Mr. Auld’s ignorant philosophy enrages Douglass and as a result, he seeks to oppose his master by any means necessary. As Douglass tells, “the argument which he so warmly urged, against my learning to read, only served to inspire me with a desire and determination to learn” (1197). Auld’s ignorance fuels Douglass’s desire to learn and he is relentless in his efforts. He exchanges food with lessons from poor white children and over time successfully learns to read.

Once Douglass is able to read, however, he becomes more exposed to abolitionist writing. As a result, Douglass feels angry and increasingly resistive. Though his first reaction after reading certain anti-slavery writing is sorrow, Douglass quickly shifts his thinking to something productive. It becomes clear that Douglass is becoming increasingly resistive when he secretly opens his Sabbath schools. By doing so, Douglass is teaching other slaves to read, thus liberating their minds. Further, after developing reading and writing skills, Douglass begins to resist certain staples of slavery. For example, when working for Mr. Covey, Douglass is tired of being whipped to he rebels and fights back against his new master. From this moment on, Covey stops whipping Douglass altogether. Some may accredit Douglass’s resistive attitude to his increased intellect that directly influences his keen ability to get his way. However, I would argue that both his literacy and his desire to oppose his white masters equally attribute to his resistive attitude. He may never have been able to free himself were it not for his immense will power. Douglass evenly accredits his freedom to Mrs. Auld for helping him learn to read and Mr. Auld for giving him the motivation to resist. Inevitably, both these masters do contribute to Douglass’s eventual freedom.