Summary of the Lesson
| Board | UP Board |
| Textbook | NCERT |
| Class | 11th |
| Subject | English |
| Chapter | 1 |
| Chapter name | My Struggle for An Education |
| Category | English PROSE Class 11th |
UP Board chapter 1 Class 11 English
My Struggle for An Education
Introduction : The writer of this lesson is Brooker T.Washington. He isapoor Negro boy of America. In his early life, he had to struggle hard togeteducation. He worked inacoalmine.When hegrewup hebecameasocial reformerand leader. In
this essay he tells us how he struggled toget admission in Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute.
The author heard aboutagrand school: Theauthor was working inacoalmine.One day he heard two persons talking about a great school for coloured people. The school was situated in Virginia. This school was much better than the little school of his town.
Lust for the school: The author was highly attracted by the narration of the school. Thename of theschool was Hampton Normaland Agricultural Institute in Virginia. Heat once decided togo there. He was much excited and thought ofitat every time. He thought it likea Heaven on earth.
His journey to Hampton :Washington decided to go in the autumn of 1872. His mother called ita wild goose to chase. Any how sheagreed the proposal half- heartedly. He had very little money. His brother John helped him with money. But it was not enough. He started for Hampton. He had a few clothes in his small bag. His mother was weakandill, but she showed braveryat the parting.
He reached Richmond : The author lived at Malden. Hampton is about five hundred miles far from Malden. He walked and begged rides in wagons and cars. After some days he reached Richmond. Hampton was about eighty miles away from Richmond. He had no money and he knew nobody in Richmond. Heasked at several places for lodging. But he could not get shelteranywhere. So he walked to streets. He was tired after mid might. His bodilypower was exhausted. At oneplace he sawalonelyplace under the side walk. He crept under itand layon the ground.
He gota job: The next morning hesawthat he was nearalarge ship. It was full ofpig iron. Some labourers wereunloading the pig-iron. He requested the captain to give him job on the ship. The captain allowed him to work. He got money and took his breakfast. The captain was pleased with his work. So he allowed him to continue his work fora few days more. Heearned some money to pay for his fare and food.
Hereached Hampton : The author saved sufficient moneytoreach Hampton. He started again and reached Hampton. He had only fifty cents with him. Heen- tered the boundaryofthe institution. He was very happy to see the grand building of theschool.
He met the Head Teacher: He went to the Head Teacher togetadmission. But he could not impress the teacher, as he was without proper dress and physique. The Head Teacher was doubtful abouthis fitness for admission. But he continued to impress her bvall the means. After some hours the Head Teacher asked him to sweep the recitation room. He swept the room for four times. He cleaned every
thing thoroughly. The Head Teacher examined the room. She rubbed her handker- chief on the furniture. She was quite satisfied with his sweeping and gave him admission. The sweeping of the room was the best examination that he had ever passed in life.