Since the beginning of time, the opportunity and ability to learn has divided the rich from the poor and the elite from the common people. In today's world, for many, the higher the education, the better life is likely to be. As in The Tale of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, learning may reveal unpleasant or problematic things, but in most cases having an education is a blessing. While this was not always the case throughout history, Douglass would eventually argue that learning was not a curse. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayFrederick Douglass tends to fall into the claim that his status as a slave and obtaining an education are incompatible. From the beginning of the book to the end, Douglass struggles with both the desire to learn and the complete abandonment of life. For example, in chapter seven he says, “Sometimes I would feel as if learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing. He had given me a vision of my miserable condition, without the remedy. It opened my eyes to the horrible pit, but no ladder to climb out of.” In the case of Frederick Douglass, learning to read and write and becoming smarter tormented him and for a time had a negative impact on his mental state. As a result of his learning, he was more susceptible to the hopeless situation he and the other slaves found themselves in, which made him absolutely miserable. By the time he had achieved his goal of becoming literate, a whole new world had opened up and a new perspective in which he saw the world. However, this made the world he lived in, as a slave, much more difficult to survive in. Douglass thought about suicide several times to free himself from the pain he was forced to endure on a daily basis. He felt as if he were trapped in a world of servitude with no escape. Later in the book Douglass states after his time with Covey: “My natural elasticity was crushed, my intellect languished, the disposition to read went, the cheerful spark that hovered in my eyes died: the dark night of slavery it closed on me; and behold, a man was transformed into a brute.' Douglass was beaten not only physically, but mentally as well. He realized that everything he had gone through to learn to read and write had perhaps been in vain. As a slave, he knew that literacy would likely never be used, and this knowledge made him more angry and frustrated than ever with his conditions and treatment. Despite this, at the end of the story, when Douglass escapes slavery, he realizes that learning is essential to becoming free. As a slave his intellect seemed to be a curse, but in the end it was the greatest gift. In today's world, the opportunity and ability to learn is almost never a curse. Getting an education can often make the difference in earning more, living better, and finding happiness. Education plays a vital role in life as it expands our abilities and skills. There are currently movements around the world to give everyone the opportunity to receive an education, regardless of race, gender or income level. Thousands of people have advocated for education for all because of its importance in today's society. If it were true that learning was a curse rather than a blessing, people would not fight for causes like affordable education and even free education. There is a lot of evidence to prove this.