Douglass uses several methods to stress the importance of this passage in his narrative. One is his word choices. Referring to Mr. Auld's objection to Douglass' learning to read, Douglass uses words like forbade, unlawful, evil, bitter. These strong words emphasize the great objections that Mr. Auld has to Mrs. Auld teaching a slave to read. Another method that Douglass uses is his list of contrasts. "What he most dreaded, that I most desired. What he most loved, that I most hated. That which to him was a great evil ... was to me a great good, to be diligently sought ..." One more method Douglass uses is the direct statement of the importance of this event in his life, and consequently, the importance of this part of his narrative. Douglass tells the reader that "the very decided manner with which he spoke ... served to convince me that he was deeply sensible of the truths he was uttering." Douglass also says, "From that moment, I understood the pathway from slavery to freedom." With these methods, Douglass emphasizes the importance of this passage of his narrative.
Douglass employed several methods to stress this passage of his narrative. His word choices, his use of contrasts, and his direct statement all reinforce the importance of the passage. Together with the rest of the narrative, this passage helps to form Douglass' impressive story with the purpose of putting an end to slavery.