Comparing Malcolm X and Franklin

These two autobiographies were similar because both can be related back to our first unit, however their learning experiences lead them to different directions. Malcolm X learned how to read in prison by reading and writing the dictionary. His motivation for learning how to read by copying the dictionary front to back turned to passion with long days and nights of him reading in his cell, lost in his delight. "...months passed without my even thinking about being imprisoned. In fact, up to then, I never had been so truly free in my life" (Malcolm - p. 2). Reading became a passion for Malcolm. A passion that inspired him to take a stand and make a difference in the world. Franklin mentioned that he could not remember a time when he couldn't read. His different jobs gave him access to books which increased his interest in things like poetry. His joy for reading was clearly evident because he mentioned how he would spend all of his money on volumes. "From a child I was fond of reading, and all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books" (Frankin - p. 2). When he finished reading them, he would sell it to buy another set of books. Their love for reading is evident in both writers, however their love for reading lead them to different paths.