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Jacob Bullard
Nancy Roche
Writing 1010-013
26 September 2014
The Relationship between Literacy and Power: a James Gee Argument
James Paul Gee, author of Social Linguistics and Literacies, dedicates a chapter in his
book to the unravelling of what he believes is involved when it comes to literacy. Gee explains
that a lot of people today have a very positive view towards literacy and that many of these
people see only positive effects from literacy. Gee refers to this general belief as the literacy
myth (Gee 48). In his essay, Gee argues against this narrow view of literacy by the use of some
interesting factual claims. In my eyes, the main argument that Gee makes is that literacy is the
catalyst to all the politically powered sanctions that run our world today.
Gee is able to strongly back his argument with a historical event. Gee explains that in
1686 the Christian church became aware that if they gave the religious texts to members, there
would be a great potential for misinterpretations and/or opposition (54). I think that Gee does a
marvelous job in pointing out that the church was attentive to this hidden power of literacy which
caused them to be hesitant to release certain texts.
By use of this next example, I feel that Gee counters the literacy myth quite well. Sweden
should have been an example of modernization, social equality, economic development, and
cognitive growth, but it was not (53). Sweden was not a beneficiary of any of the positive
attributes contained within the literacy myth although a universal literacy was achieved.
Again, Gee dives into past history to help solidify his argument. He uses a historical
example when he talks about the Nietzsche getting into the hands of the Nazis and the negative

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effects that followed. Gee mentions that the Bible has been used to justify wealth, racism,
imperialism, war, and exploitation (49). I think that these examples Gee uses in particular are his
strongest. They give an insight to the powers that can be gained from interpretations of writings.
Another way in which I found Gee was able to express his argument with validity was by
use of metaphor. Gee states, A text, whether written on paper, or on the soul (Plato), or on the
world (Freire), is a loaded weapon. The person, the educator, who hands over the gun, hands
over the bullets (the perspective), and must own up to the consequences (61). Looking at Gees
last point, it is clear to see that the Nazis used the Nietzsche as a weapon and people have used
the Bible in similar ways. By looking at another example Gee uses it will help solidify these two
prior points.
Gee decides to use the work of Plato, which reveals some information that is crucial to
Gees argument. The use of Platos work by Gee proves to be a good focal point, easily showing
the relationship between power and literacy. Platos work stated that if there were no power over
interpretations of writings then every interpretation would be correct, therefore making the
writing invalid (52). This power over interpretations Gee believes is used by poets, speech
writers, and politicians to, capture peoples interests, maintain status quo, and tell people what
they want to hear (53). I have to agree with Gee when he says that the persuasive capabilities
literacy enables is abused rather than used to educate. The last example Gee uses is by use of the
work of Freire.
The next case Gee uses helps to show that not only are power and literacy inevitably
joined, they cannot be separated. Gee believes that politics and literacy cannot be separated (61).
To help show this, Gee explains that, literacy only empowers people when it renders them
active questioners of the social reality around them (59). Freire expresses that when people are

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questioning their surroundings, politics have to be put in place to prevent the status quo from
being tainted. I think that what Gee is saying is valid because if there were no politics over our
reality there could very possibly be a revolt and chaos.
Gee has clearly broadened my view towards literacy. His use of examples to support his
argument was done so with precision. Gees essay demonstrates the ability to broaden the view
on literacy. Through history, philosophy, and the use of a metaphor, Gee displays a fine
relationship between literacy, politics, and power.

Works Cited
Gee, James Paul. Social Linguistics and Literacies: Ideology in Discourses. Abingdon: Taylor &
Francis, 2012. Print.

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