# II: Boyhood Days explained — Up from Slavery

> Chapter companion for Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington.

## What happens

Washington recounts his family's move to West Virginia after emancipation, his intense desire for education, and the challenges of balancing work and schooling in the salt-furnaces. He describes the community's first efforts to establish schools for Black children, his mother's support, and his own determination to learn despite obstacles.

## Themes in this chapter

### Education and Self-Improvement

Washington's intense desire to learn to read and the community's collective pursuit of education through day and night schools.

### Overcoming Adversity and Poverty

Washington's struggle to attend school while working long hours in the salt-furnace, and the poor living conditions in Malden.

### Self-Reliance and Character Building

Washington's determination to learn on his own, including mastering the alphabet without a teacher and arranging night lessons.

## Character check-ins

### Booker T. Washington

Narrates his boyhood experiences, including his longing for education and work in the salt-furnace.

### Mrs. Washington

Washington's mother, who supports his educational ambitions and procures a spelling book for him.

### John Hatcher

Mentioned as a former owner whose surname was sometimes used by freed people.

### John S. Lincoln

Example of a freedman who adopted a new surname after emancipation.

## Key lines

> The most perplexing question was where to find a teacher.

The biggest challenge was finding someone to teach.

_Reflects the scarcity of educated teachers for the newly freed community._

> I recall that I looked forward with an anxious appetite to the 'teacher's day' at our little cabin.

I eagerly anticipated the day the teacher would eat at our home.

_Highlights the community's reverence for education and the teacher._

> The great ambition of the older people was to try to learn to read the Bible before they died.

Elderly people were determined to read the Bible before passing away.

_Shows the spiritual motivation behind the desire for literacy._

> I had been working in a salt-furnace for several months, and my stepfather had discovered that I had a financial value, and so, when the school opened, he decided that he could not spare me from my work.

My stepfather realized I could earn money and refused to let me attend school.

_Illustrates the economic pressures that hindered educational opportunities._

> I determined that I would learn something, anyway.

I resolved to gain knowledge no matter what.

_Demonstrates Washington's perseverance and self-reliance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/up_from_slavery_se/chapters/ii-boyhood-days
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/up_from_slavery_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/up_from_slavery_se/chapters