The likes and dislikes or American Literature

I like Booker T Washington's story "Up From Slavery" because it showed how a person who didn't start with much find ways to make himself step outside of traditional norms during the time and use his self taught education to prevail during rough times for former slaves. He was truly a smart and brave man to accomplish what he did during his time. Booker was a leader and a role model during his expedition into bringing his people out of slavery and into a more equal world and culture.

I enjoyed "Mending Wall" which was written by Robert Frost. He explains two different views from two different people over an object such as a fence. These two different people, who are neighbors, have different views about this fence that they share. He showed perfectly how people might have different views but they are sill bound together by a fence that they must share.

The Awakening was a good story that showed the main characters struggle to cope with views that were not shared by others during that time. I actually wasn't that thrilled with the story though because I felt like it drug-on and on which made it a very boring story to me. Collectively the thoughts she struggled with was the begining of when women started to think more independently and this was probably vital for the time period.

All Guts and Glory

Booker T. Washington was a very smart man. He took what little he had and applied it to the direction he was wanting to head. His mother gave him an alphabet book and he used this to his full advantage in order to learn how to read. Booker T. Washington came up from slavery and utilized his skills to become the person that he is known for today. I would imagine if you started out in slavery, and then began to educate yourself and become a linchpin for black education and critical thinking, that it would be a very hard task. Booker broke the norm and became a legend that is still very much alive today.

Booker showed many people that with dedication and determination you could achieve much more then you might have thought. You must believe in yourself though in order to break through ideas and beliefs that go against what your goals are at a given time in society. It also takes a very courageous person to have the guts to fight for what you believe in when you very well know it could be your demise...and I commend him for that.