English

English

There are two significant reasons why I chose, compared, and contrasted two readings i.e. “Learning to Read and Write-Frederick Douglas” and “When Bright Girls Decide That Math is a Waste of Time-Susan Jacoby.” First, I was able comprehend and analyze these two readings easily. Second, I am very much interested in investigating and searching about American history and girls' interest in stereotype subjects like math and science. The first reading is an evocative reading, in which “Douglass” utters about how he learns to read and write. This skill of Douglass further facilitated him to become a leader in the abolitionist movement. His mistress, the Douglass master's wife assisted him a lot to read and write, although it was not allowed. However, after some time, she stopped assisting him because of some restrictions from her husband. This was not the end, and Douglass did not stop and start reading and writing without of anyone's assistance. His practice of copying and studying the letters written on the wood and challenged the white children for a writing competition underpin his foundation of reading and writing more better than before. Another strategy applied by Douglass was to pick up his master's son writing book and copied it to learn more. In contrast, the second reading by “Susan Jacoby” described how a teenage girl decides not to opt for calculus and physics as a senior student in high school, substituting them with electives. The girl's parents also allowed her for the same, as the major selected by her is history or art. The author further argued that girls in teenage tend to loathe science and math although they achieve high marks and ultimately score good grades. Girls also tend to have this conservative perception that math and science are masculine subjects. Another reason of not participating ...