Précis # 1 : Our view of Literacy

Graff, Harvey. "The Nineteenth-Century Origins of Our Times."The Legacies of Literacy. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1987. 340-70.
In the early 18th century literacy was controlled by morality. Education was a way to implement morals, patriotism, and knowledge. A social goal for literacy was established in the 19th century. Soon everyone, poor and rich, were allowed to attend school. Blacks and some poor were excluded. Some poor were excluded because they were seen as a threat, connected with vice and unlawfulness. The "optimist" believed that poor should be included in the educational system because it could supply to a more equal society. "Pessimists", which were the majority, encouraged "education for the poor to train them to accept their inferior status."
At this time the North and South were separated. The Northerners were significantly more literate than the Southerners. This gap mainly came from the difference in traditions and social realities. The Southerners were mainly all farmers and laborers which believed that schooling was not necessary for economic survival. Soon people started to take an interest in literacy because it would bring along economic advantages. But these economic advantages seemed to only be for men. Differences in jobs were not based on literacy levels but of ethnic and class discrimination.
Before long, print was introduced into the everyday lives of the people. Numerous amounts of periodicals, novels, newspapers, and pamphlets were being sold. People were mainly interested in reading "cheap" literature. Even though more people were involved in reading they were not considered literate. People were reading books with immoral issues. A huge problem with literacy was that people were able to read but could not comprehend what they were reading. Shortly in order to be considered literate people had to be able to enunciate and comprehend what they were reading.
Also, at this time African Americans were not allowed to be illiterate. They saw education as a way to gain freedom and respect. Withholding literacy from slaves only made them want it more. Slaves were very motivated in achieving literacy. Slaves taught themselves and others how to read with little resources. But even those who were free and achieved literacy were set back because of poverty and social and cultural differences.
The parts of the article that were especially insightful are were where Graff talks about the "literary myth". Many social classes believed that through literacy they could gain respect and higher wages. But even after gaining literacy they were set back because of their skin and social class. This article gave me an idea about how the view of literacy has changed over the yea