After having read "Learning to Read and Write," by Frederick Douglass, it becomes apparent to the reader that even at a very early age, Frederick Douglas was a very motivated and passionate individual. In this way, a comparison can be drawn to a quote by Charles F. Kettering, where he says "Keep on going, and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I never heard of anyone ever stumbling on something while sitting down." This quote is analogous to Frederick Douglass's experience in that he proved that through hard work and determination, what seems impossible can actually be accomplished, even in the face of adversity. Also, the quote is instructive in that Douglass achieved enlightenment through his hard work towards reading and writing. While his peers who did not share is ambition did not stumble onto anything, remained ignorant to the things that Douglass had learned and complacent to their condition, Douglass could not at times bear the knowledge and constant reminders about what it meant to him to be a slave.
Frederick Douglass began his instruction on how to read and write from his Mistress, for a short while until her husband forbid her to continue teaching him. She had managed to teach him the alphabet in the short time they had lessons together. That "inch" as Douglass described it, was all he needed to pursue his goal further without her help. While difficult, he sought out help and instruction anywhere he could find it and used any opportunity he could to devote to the task of his own education. This was risky and brave of him to pursue his education. He could have been in a great deal of trouble if he was caught. He was often scolded for trying to read or educate himself if caught at home, and was forced to seek knowledge and aide outside the home. He would receive instruction from white children who were not against sharing their knowledge with him, and would sometimes offer bread from his house with those who needed to be rewarded for instructing him.
