Question

In these excerpts, how do both men use their personal histories to achieve their purpose? Both men use their past experiences to show readers that they persevered and became accomplished readers and writers. Both men use their personal histories to show readers the horrors and misery of being enslaved. Both men share their past experiences to show readers that they are much smarter than the average person. Both men share their personal stories to show readers that they are still having a very difficult time adjusting to European customs.

Answer 1

Answer: Both men use their past experiences to show readers that they persevered and became accomplished readers and writers.

Explanation:

The first passage is from "Thoughts and Sentiments on the Evil of Slavery " (1791), a book written by Ottobah Cugoano. The author describes his experience of being taken as a child and sold into slavery.

In the first excerpt, Cugoano describes that, when he saw people who read and write in England, he wished to learn to do it himself. Once he learned to read and write, the author continued to educate himself.

In the second excerpt, from "Letters of the late Ignatius Sancho, an African", written by Ignatius Sancho who was born as a slave, the author describes his experience of serving in a family where they judged ignorance. However, when he was placed in a better family, he began to enjoy reading.  

It is evident that both authors never gave up reading, and thus became quite successful as writers as well.