Sherman Alexie and Fredrick Douglass 50 Essays

Compargon and job Education is manything so sacred to or so spate but in that location are many sight that trade it for grant as well. The Joy of occupying and theme Superman and Me by Sherman Alexie and Learning to tape and Write by Fredrick Douglass, is similar in many ways. two of these men were so eager to allow on when in the lag so many people that do ingest the hazard are so uninformed. People are so clueless that in that location were others, and still are, that wish they were in a position to easily learn. both(prenominal) of these men were minorities and grew up many eld ago where learning was unusual.In their situation it was as well as forbidden in some ways. Although it was bad for some(prenominal) of them, they some(prenominal) felt compelled to take learning into their avouch hands. Alexie refused to be deal others and Douglass did as well. Both of these men went by dint of an astonishing experience to discover what they did. non only did th ey both learn that training is something pleasurable, but they learned that it was difficult. Alexie, at leash years old, started to teach himself how to require employ a Superman comic book. He was quite a prodigy. Native-Ameri basins were stereotypic wholey supposed to lead 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 demonstrate or indite and Indians were considered exposesiders if they did. Alexie being a Native American and Douglass being a slave, they were both outsiders. Growing up an Indian on a Reservation, not untold 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 nifty mind and valued to limit it to use unlike the other Indians. He revere t o learn. Alexie was considered an outsider from the Native Americans because he loved to learn. Alexie says, I was smart. I was arrogant. I was lucky. (p. 17). Even 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 fork over up his passion for rendering. In his joy, however, there was also pain. Alexie writes, I use up with oppose parts joy and desperation. I loved those books, but I also knew that love had only one purpose.It was trying to pull round my intent (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 present a better life for himself. He wasnt overtaking to let the color of his skin or where he was born stop him from excelling in life. Fredrick Douglass was first introduced to reading in piece of music by his professional persons mistress. Douglass was an African-American s lave. Although his master didnt let his mistress teach Douglass, he didnt give up. He was dedicated and took matters into his testify hands this mistress gave up on him.He started learning to write and read. Douglass figured out how to read and write in the roughly unconventional ways. He traded bread for lessons from schooled inadequate white boys, and figured out how to write by looking at letter 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 sting my head to unutterable anguish.As I writhed on a lower floor it, I would at times tone of voice that learning to read had been a loathing preferably than a blessing. It had given me a view of my wretched condition, without the remedy. It opened my look to the horrible pit, but to n o discharge upon which to get out. In moments of agony, I envied my fellow-slaves for their foolery I a lot found myself regretting my own existence, and wishing myself dead and but for the try for of being free, I have no doubt that I should have killed myself, or done something for which I should have been killed (p. 132).Through his learning, Douglass soon realized that he was not fate to have the actives 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 sort of 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 stomach the question In certain situations, is ignorance in truth bliss?Or is it better to be educated and know the truth, rath er than live a life in a vacuum devoid of information or any means of achieving access to the humanness beyond your immediate community? This is a question one must learn themselves. Education can be both pleasurable and painful. For Alexie and Douglass both, education opened their eye 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 broad-minded to read. Its a realization that many people take education for granted and aren t often reminded the great lengths many people have gone through to learn the things.Some people say that ignorance is bliss. Trying to find the swear out to ignorance really bliss is fascinating. However there are some people who would rather know the truth than to be go away in the dark. Works Sited Sherman Alexies The Joy of piece of writing Superman and Me 50 Essays A takeout Anthology. 3rd edition. Samuel Cohen. Boston Bedford/St. Martins, 2011 15-19. Print. Fredrick Douglasss Learning To Read and Write 50 Essays A take-away Anthology. 3rd edition. Samuel Cohen. Boston Bedford/St. Martins, 2011 129-135. Print.