Freedom Is Intended As A Challenge Analysis
Exercise 1.3 - Compare Two Essays
I chose to compare “Freedom Is Intended As A Challenge” by Naomi Wolf from Give Me Liberty, and “Learning to Read” by MALCOLM X.
When I started reading “Learning to Read” by MALCOLM X, I already had the assumption that “For instance, Wolf and X appear hugely different at first glance, but close reading may show some strong points of convergence in their attitudes and their arguments.” (Stephen) That being said, X’s learning journey triggered my interest right away with his determination to overcome his self-recognized weakness. The most obvious message from X’s essay is inspiring because he was able to transform a “bad situation” of being in the Charlestown Prison, to the most important part of his life. (X)
Although, the essay starts with his experiences in prison, towards the middle of the essay a shift occurred. What first started as a self-ambition to pursue knowledge, expanded to a moral responsibility to make others aware of true he found in the books he read and changed his perspective about the world. X defends that a hidden history – a hidden meaning – may have purposely forgotten and the group must do something to restore then supposedly hidden …show more content…
Throughout the book section, Wolf’s attempts to make others aware that the meaning of the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson may have been changed over the years. Wolf’s argues that “This language [in the Declaration of Independence], while beautiful, is quite difficult; it is a formal language of a very formal century far removed from our own.” (Wolf) Wolf’s defends that the commonly accepted assumption in the contemporary world of the Declaration of Independence is selfish, when Jefferson’s intentions were unselfish; were not about the individual but the group.
I chose to compare “Freedom Is Intended As A Challenge” by Naomi Wolf from Give Me Liberty, and “Learning to Read” by MALCOLM X.
When I started reading “Learning to Read” by MALCOLM X, I already had the assumption that “For instance, Wolf and X appear hugely different at first glance, but close reading may show some strong points of convergence in their attitudes and their arguments.” (Stephen) That being said, X’s learning journey triggered my interest right away with his determination to overcome his self-recognized weakness. The most obvious message from X’s essay is inspiring because he was able to transform a “bad situation” of being in the Charlestown Prison, to the most important part of his life. (X)
Although, the essay starts with his experiences in prison, towards the middle of the essay a shift occurred. What first started as a self-ambition to pursue knowledge, expanded to a moral responsibility to make others aware of true he found in the books he read and changed his perspective about the world. X defends that a hidden history – a hidden meaning – may have purposely forgotten and the group must do something to restore then supposedly hidden …show more content…
Throughout the book section, Wolf’s attempts to make others aware that the meaning of the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson may have been changed over the years. Wolf’s argues that “This language [in the Declaration of Independence], while beautiful, is quite difficult; it is a formal language of a very formal century far removed from our own.” (Wolf) Wolf’s defends that the commonly accepted assumption in the contemporary world of the Declaration of Independence is selfish, when Jefferson’s intentions were unselfish; were not about the individual but the group.