Questions:
Historical Relevance:
Authors Info:
Purpose:
The purpose of this piece is to show how important education was to blacks and the obstacles they would go through to get it.
Unknown Words:
Vicinity, despondency, slipshod, sloven
Quotes:
Highlights
Summary:
Washington, who started off as a coal miner, overheard a conversation about a school in Virginia for colored people and he did everything he could from continuing to work as a coal miner for little to no pay and even working for a lady that most wouldn't work for because of her severity. He traveled 500 miles for a great opportunity at Hampton Institute that changed his life and made him the successful person he was.
Literary Elements
- What struggles did Washington go through to get a education?
- Why did Washington risk working for Mrs. Ruffner knowing the past she has had with servants?
- If Washington were alive today would he view kids as motivated as he was struggling to get an education?
Historical Relevance:
- W.E.B. Du Bois, "The Souls of Black Folk"
- AME Church Review calls for a "New Negro Renaissance"
Authors Info:
- Washington was born in Franklin County, Virginia
- His father was white
- He traveled over 500 miles to Hampton for school
Purpose:
The purpose of this piece is to show how important education was to blacks and the obstacles they would go through to get it.
Unknown Words:
Vicinity, despondency, slipshod, sloven
Quotes:
- "This was my first experience in finding out what the color of my skin meant." (pg.588)
- "...that life would now have a new meaning." (pg.590)
Highlights
- Washington worked as a coal miner
- He worked for a few months to save up to got to Hampton Institute
- He took the risk of working with a hardcore lady just to make a little more for his family and school
- Washington's brother tried to help him by giving him money
- The distance between his home and Hampton was about 500 miles
- While traveling, Washington was refused service at a hotel because he was colored
- He walked the streets with no food or money to get anything to eat
- When he reached Hampton, he went to talk to the head teacher in charge.
Summary:
Washington, who started off as a coal miner, overheard a conversation about a school in Virginia for colored people and he did everything he could from continuing to work as a coal miner for little to no pay and even working for a lady that most wouldn't work for because of her severity. He traveled 500 miles for a great opportunity at Hampton Institute that changed his life and made him the successful person he was.
Literary Elements
- imagery : "...not even Heaven presented more attractions for me at the time..."
- symbolism: "yankee"