Nightjohn

[Robynblanks]

How valuable it is to be able to read? Here you have slaves that would die for the right of literacy. The importance of teaching is magnified in this story. Education adheres to many stipulations of what it ought to be, how it should be taught and whom shall teach it. The character John shows this characteristic as being someone who wants to spread knowledge to fellow slaves only to broaden their dreams and hopes for imagination. This novel displays the great magnitude about not placing limitations on ourselves when it comes to being able to read and the sacrifice one must take to embrace the opportunity for learning.
When looking at the overall message, literacy stands to be the primary force of a person’s ability to have a better life today. When John is whipped for believing in what he stood for the feeling of becoming a teacher surfaced. He sacrificed his freedom and family for others and that is what most of teachers do today. We sacrifice a low paying job, and in some instance the lack of support from administration to teach students who may need specific resources for learning. Knowing that your education can never be taking away from you is a valuable lesson displayed in this book. When Sarny was able to show the value of the other slaves to her master because of her ability to read, the value of being able to read was magnified once again. If she was not able to read she would not have had the knowledge to negotiate her and the other slave’s fate. This would be a great read for middle school students relaying the importance of literacy.

[Matthew]

Robynblanks wrote: "How valuable it is to be able to read? Here you have slaves that would die for the right of literacy. The importance of teaching is magnified in this story. Education adheres to many stipulation..."


It is in fact a great read for middle school students. I just taught this book to my sixth grade students and they loved it.