As I writhed under it, I would at times feel that learning to read had been a curse rather than a blessing. It opened my eyes to the horrible pit, but to no ladder upon which to get out. In moments of agony, I envied my fellow slaves for their stupidity. I have often wished myself a beast. I preferred the condition of the meanest reptile to my own. Which statement best describes how the author’s experience has shaped his point of view?

A.) He is finally able to speak his mind to everyone around him.

B.) The strongest effect on his literacy is the light it casts on the world he already knows.

C.) He longs to be free and become an abolitionist.

D.) The struggles he faces are almost insurmountable.