Question

Why, according to Douglass' new owner, Mr. Auld, is Douglass forbidden from learning to read and write, as stated in Chapter 6 of the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass? A. Mr. Auld says that the law forbids teaching a slave to read. B. Mr. Auld explains that if Douglass learns how to read, he'll learn the signs of how to leave the city. C. Mr. Auld says it is unlawful and unsafe; there would be no keeping him afterwards. D. Mr. Auld is afraid that Douglass would be able to read his ownership documents.

Answer 1

The correct option is C.
Mr Auld was very cross with his wife when he caught her teaching Douglass how to read ABC. He told her that is against the law to teach a slave to read and beside, a slave who know how to read will not be satisfied with been a slave anymore and thus will not be useful to anybody. This means that, a slave master will no longer be able to hold down a slave who knows how to read.