The Struggle for an Education Summary and Analysis

While working in the coalmines, Washington overhears two men talking about a Negro school - the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute in Virginia. Washington has no idea where Hampton is even located but says he can't wait to find a way to go there. He then hears of a vacancy in the home of the man who owns the salt mine and coal mine, General Lewis Ruffner. Mrs. Ruffner is known to be strict and several boys have worked for her only a few weeks before quitting. She pays five dollars per month and Washington soon discovers that she simply requires precision, order and honesty, which he provides. He stays for some time and says that she is pleased with his work. Again, he says that the lessons of cleanliness he learns there...