"Learning to Read" with Frances Ellen Watkins Harper's "Aunt Chloe"

Summary

The script recounts the struggle and determination of African Americans to learn to read during the era of slavery, despite the Confederacy's efforts to keep them uneducated. It highlights ingenious methods used to secretly learn, such as hiding books in hats and memorizing words by listening to children. The narrative emphasizes the importance of literacy, as exemplified by the speaker's journey to read the Bible at the age of sixty, and the empowerment felt in having a personal space to call one's own.

Takeaways

• 📚 The script tells the story of the efforts of the 'Yankee teachers' to educate slaves, which was seen as a threat to the rule of the 'Rebs' (likely Confederates).
• 🚫 Slave masters tried to prevent slaves from learning to read and write, as they believed that knowledge was incompatible with slavery and could make the slaves too wise.
• 🤓 Despite the restrictions, some slaves were determined to learn and would find creative ways to 'steal' knowledge from books, such as memorizing words or using unconventional methods to hide their learning materials.
• 🎓 Uncle Caldwell's story illustrates the lengths some would go to hide their learning, by using pot liquor fat to grease the pages of his book and hiding it in his hat.
• 👦 Mr. Turner's Ben is an example of a slave who learned to read by listening to children spell and memorizing the words, showing the resourcefulness of slaves in acquiring literacy.
• 📚 The script emphasizes the importance of literacy, as it is portrayed as a means to gain independence and empowerment, even in the face of oppression.
• 👵 The speaker, Chloe, defies the discouragement of others by learning to read the Bible at the age of sixty, demonstrating perseverance and a desire for knowledge regardless of age.
• 👓 Chloe's acquisition of glasses symbolizes her commitment to learning and the practical steps she took to overcome barriers to her education.
• 🏡 The mention of Chloe getting a 'little cabin' signifies her gaining a personal space, which is also a metaphor for her achieving a sense of independence and self-sufficiency.
• 👑 The final comparison of Chloe feeling 'as independent as the queen upon her throne' highlights the transformative power of education and the pride it brings to an individual.
• 🌐 The script reflects on the broader historical context of the Civil War era in the United States, where the North was making efforts to educate slaves, challenging the status quo of the South.

Q & A

What was the general sentiment of the Rebs towards the establishment of schools by the Yankee teachers?

The Rebs were opposed to the establishment of schools by the Yankee teachers, as it was against their rule and they believed that knowledge was incompatible with slavery.

Why did the masters try to prevent slaves from learning to read?

The masters believed that book learning would make the slaves too wise and potentially challenge the institution of slavery.

How did some slaves manage to learn despite the restrictions?

Some slaves would steal knowledge 'by hook or crook,' learning a little from books and putting the words together to educate themselves.

What method did Uncle Caldwell use to hide his learning materials?

Uncle Caldwell used pot liquor fat to grease the pages of his book and hid it in his hat, making it appear as greasy papers to his master.

Who was Mr. Turner's Ben, and how did he learn to read?

Mr. Turner's Ben was a slave who learned to read by listening to children spell words and memorizing them by heart.

What was the role of the Northern folks in the education of slaves?

The Northern folks were instrumental in sending Yankee teachers to the South to educate the slaves, despite the opposition from the Rebs.

Why was there skepticism when the speaker began learning to read at an older age?

People thought it was too late for the speaker to learn to read at the age of sixty, suggesting that it was a futile effort.

What did the speaker do to overcome the skepticism about learning to read at an older age?

The speaker got a pair of glasses and worked diligently until she could read hymns and the Testament.

How did learning to read impact the speaker's sense of independence?

Learning to read made the speaker feel independent, comparing her sense of self-reliance to that of a queen on her throne.

What does the phrase 'And I longed to read my Bible, For precious words it said' imply about the speaker's motivation for learning to read?

The speaker's desire to read the Bible, which she considered to contain precious words, was a significant motivation for her to learn to read, despite the challenges.

How does the script reflect the broader struggle for literacy and freedom among slaves?

The script illustrates the determination and resourcefulness of slaves to acquire literacy as a means to challenge their enslavement and gain a sense of autonomy and understanding.