Herron 1

Jake Herron
Nancy Roche
Writing 1010-013
29 September 2014
Literacy from Gees Point of View
James Gee has a unique argument about the powers that literacy seems to hold. He uses
his thoughts and the thoughts of other writers/religions to support his argument. There are
different points made by each individual that support Gees argument by many including: Plato,
Freire, and groups such as the Swedish and the Catholics. Gees primary argument states that
literacy gives no additional power or knowledge to those who obtain it.
Sweden had its own outbreak of literacy when it was used through reading to promote the
Christian church. Sweden supports Gees argument by establishing equality through literacy.
Men and women were equal when it came to literacy. Gee uses Sweden to explain and support
his argument. Sweden eventually obtained universal literacy. It gave everyone a certain political
perspective without giving anyone more power than another. Gees argument is supported by the
way Sweden established literacy.
Gee introduces the words of Paulo Freire by associating him strongly with emancipatory
literacy. Freire believes that literacy comes with a political perspective whether it be of church,
state, business or school (60). Although he believes in the political perspective, he never gives
literacy more power. Literacy will always be a part of politics but it will never give a certain
party an upper hand.
Another source for Gees argument was the Catholic culture from the eighteenth and
nineteenth century. At first, Church leaders of the Catholics and Protestants did not want the

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average person to obtain religious text because they thought it would be interpreted
incorrectly. However, eventually they stopped restricting access and allowed anyone to obtain
it. This gave everyone equal interpretation powers (54). Gee then questions the literacy in
countries like Sweden from the nineteenth century who were very open to literacy and looked at
it as something everyone can obtain.He compared these countries to other countries that were
more restricted when it came to literacy and how it affected the citizens of that country.
Plato believed that true knowledge came when a statement was made and someone
asked the person who made the statement to explain what they mean (49). This forces the person
that made the statement to show his/her knowledge of what theyre stating, by having to re word
their statement. Gee explains how this is a way of establishing literacy for everyone. This is
showing that the person giving the statement wants everyone to understand it. Thus creating a
sense of equality.
Gee has many sources to support his argument on literacy. These writers and groups of
people all have a similar viewpoint on literacy. That literacy gives no one a higher political status
or raises them above anyone else in any way. Nations such as Sweden were able to establish
literacy across the entire country, making sure everyone was equal. Plato and Freire were similar
in stating that although politics all contained a form of literacy; it in no way gave an advantage to
anyone. The myth that literacy gives someone more knowledge or power than those who do not
have it is argued by Gee in a very convincing way.

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Works Cited
Gee (49-60)