In this passage from "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass" we can see that, by banning his wife from teaching him how to read, Mr. Auld gave Frederick what he had been looking for his whole life.
The manner in which he spoke, which was meant to impress his wife, caused a different reaction on Frederick. He knew that if his master was against him leargning how to read, it must be important. He understood that the only way he could ever gain his freedom was through education.
