What event changes Easy's perspective, and what does he realize he needs to do in the novel, Gone Fishin'?

After witnessing Mouse killing the dogs, a tormented Easy comes to the momentous conclusion that he will learn to read and write. Easy sees the pile of papers on the floor. "I looked at those papers and thought that if I could read what was in them I wouldn't have to think about those dogs," or "have to hang around people like Mouse to tell me stories." Easy feels feverish, too weak to warn anyone about the evil manipulations of Mouse. Easy ponders his moral duty.