The Human Cost Of An Illiterate Society Kozol Analysis
An analysis of Jonathan Kozol’s “The Human Cost of an Illiterate Society” In the story of “The Human Cost of an Illiterate Society” Jonathan Kozol reasons the negative effects of being illiterate. American illiterates are being shut down by society in a world where becoming a successful that seems uncertain for illiterates. Kozol shows to the reader the many risks that an illiterate American has to face on a daily basis and the dangers that results from it. “They cannot read traffic signs and, while they often learn to recognize and to decipher symbols, they cannot mange street names which they haven’t seen before” (256). This confirms how American illiterates are in danger of getting lost or not knowing how to get back home. They need
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Illiteracy can run into conflict such as, not being able to help their children with homework, cannot read bills, have problems with reading prescriptions on bottles, and other everyday tasks. Illiterates are afraid to ask for help for doing the simplest tasks. “The purchaser who cannot read does not dare to ask for help, out of the fear of being stigmatized” (Kozol 256). The American illiterate person doesn’t want to disgrace his or her family because of a simple task of not being able to read a label. They can also feel insecure and feel abandon because there is no one willing to give them help. These can lead them to not trust anyone, even those who are helping them. Billing agencies take advantage of the people who are Illiterate that have lots of bills to pay for, and the billing agencies offer them an excessive payment. “Billing agencies harass poor people for the payment of the bills for purchases that might have taken place six months before” (257). The struggles of being illiterate leave them financially unstable. This also leads them to get money from loans or people who say that this is “no problem just sign here.”
I learned that there are many dangers and risks into being illiterate, and how they are limited to achieve. I had some experience with illiteracy also when I came to America from El Salvador. I was frustrated when I can’t answer a question or that I had classes that helped
Illiteracy can run into conflict such as, not being able to help their children with homework, cannot read bills, have problems with reading prescriptions on bottles, and other everyday tasks. Illiterates are afraid to ask for help for doing the simplest tasks. “The purchaser who cannot read does not dare to ask for help, out of the fear of being stigmatized” (Kozol 256). The American illiterate person doesn’t want to disgrace his or her family because of a simple task of not being able to read a label. They can also feel insecure and feel abandon because there is no one willing to give them help. These can lead them to not trust anyone, even those who are helping them. Billing agencies take advantage of the people who are Illiterate that have lots of bills to pay for, and the billing agencies offer them an excessive payment. “Billing agencies harass poor people for the payment of the bills for purchases that might have taken place six months before” (257). The struggles of being illiterate leave them financially unstable. This also leads them to get money from loans or people who say that this is “no problem just sign here.”
I learned that there are many dangers and risks into being illiterate, and how they are limited to achieve. I had some experience with illiteracy also when I came to America from El Salvador. I was frustrated when I can’t answer a question or that I had classes that helped