Benjamin Banneker hopes to bring the horrors of slavery to Thomas Jefferson’s attention and potentially end slavery. He accomplishes this with his logical organization of his essay, appeals to pathos and ethos, comparisons, flattery, positive and negative diction, allusions, examples, parallelism, and a call-to-action. Banneker respectfully reminds Thomas Jefferson of how horrible it was under Great Britain’s “tyranny” and compares this to slavery. By comparing the suffering in slavery to the suffering the U.S. endured under Great Britain. Banneker addresses Thomas Jefferson as “sir” and compliments him, building him up. He is using flattery to potentially get Jefferson on his side. Banneker uses positive diction throughout the first paragraph.
Benjamin Banneker effectively convinces Jefferson to end slavery through his use of imagery, allusions, and figurative language. One of the main literary devices Benjamin Banneker uses is imagery. The use of imagery throughout the paper, allows the audience to create a clearer picture. Imagery is also useful for demonstrating and conveying ideas. An example of imagery, “reflect on that time in which every human aid appeared unavailable.”
The quote also appeals to Jefferson’s emotions because Banneker makes him feel guilty about slavery. Jefferson
Benjamin Banneker earnestly attempts to persuade Thomas Jefferson, former slave owner, the wrongness of slavery by using his sense of morality and reasoning against him. Banneker brings to light Jefferson’s views and to set the foundation to take his argument further. He refers to the Revolutionary War in line 2, "...arms and tyranny of the British Crown..." and explains the British Crown and indirectly refers to their ruling of the colonies. The word he most significantly used was ‘tyranny’ which sums up the rule of the British Crown in the colonists eyes. He uses the Revolutionary War and its impact on the colonies to further deepen the argument on his next point, without this clarification what he said next wouldn't have made any
In 1791, a son of former slaves by the name of Benjamin Banneker, wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson about his belief and standpoint on slavery with major rhetorical responses backing his standpoint up. Banneker starts off his letter and continues throughout it by stating “sir.” He does this knowingly as it is a sign of respect and the fact Jefferson has more authority than him, as Jefferson was the Secretary of State at the time under President George Washington, and hoping to have Jefferson and other high and powerful men consider his point of view. Predating back to the early 1700’s, slaves were merely legal property in the United States, meaning the slaves had no rights. Free black men and women had no rights either.
Banneker brings up the point that Jefferson believes in “the benevolence of the Father of mankind” and the rights “the Father” has put forth to everyone, however, Jefferson, “counteracts his [the Father’s] mercies” by allowing slavery. This then leads Banneker to the conclusion that Jefferson should logically be held accountable for a criminal act, since Jefferson fails to acknowledge the violence numerous people are experiencing. There is also a sense of irony, since Banneker mentions earlier that Jefferson stated “all men are equal” and yet Jefferson counteracts the equality “the Father” has placed upon people. In fact, this also leads to conveying guilt, considering Banneker is holding Jefferson accountable for his actions and showing Jefferson that he is in the wrong, not the
Farmer, astronomer and author Benjamin Banneker in his untitled letter strongly argues against slavery. Banneker's purpose is to argue and persuade against slavery and explain how it's unjustified at a time after the American Revolution and during a time when the House of Burgesses took away African's rights and made them forever bound to slavery brought by the slave codes. He adopts a serene tone in order to calmly and professionally expound on the ideas that he's going to explain to show why slavery is unjustified in his letter to a man of higher authority. Banneker achieves his purpose/tone through the use of diction and figurative language.
Banneker Also uses a bible allusion. Furthermore, he says, “Thus shall your hearts be enlarged with kindness and benevolence towards them; and thus shall you need neither the direction of myself or others, in what manner to proceed herein.” He uses this to make him feel better for calling him a hypocrite earlier in his letter. He says this make Thomas Jefferson feel as if it’s not too late to change. This makes Jefferson feel that it’s not all he fault and just needs to take Banneker’s advice.
I believe that Franklin wrote the phrase “a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” as Franklin's argumentative style uses persuasion,friendliness, and the truth while staying simple. All those traits are shown in the phrase there are no sings of aggressiveness, sounds friendly, and is persuasive. It's stated in Franklin on junto paragraph 1 that junto focused on "the sincere spirit of inquiry after truth, without fondness for dispute, or desire of victory; and, to prevent warmth".
Banneker uses logos, anaphora, pathos, and juxtaposition to create a respectful but critical tone, with phrases such as “freedom and tranquility”, his repetition of “sir” and his continued treatment of Jefferson as a student who has the knowledge but is not applying themselves. Banneker’s tone throughout the letter is that of great respect for Jefferson as a person, and as an equal, but little respect for his opinions and use of power such as in the Declaration of Independence. He uses logos to emphasize this earnest respect that he has with sentences like “I suppose your knowledge of the situation of my brethren is too extensive to need a recital here”, where he uses logos to both point out that he knows Jefferson has the knowledge, but
he uses bold words and biting criticism to call attention to the gross injustices and hypocrisy of slavery in the United States. In the opening remarks of his speech, Douglas provides heart-wrenching descriptions to pull his audience into the lives of their fellow
The letter was understandably harsh and severe, but Banneker does this in such a humble manner, that his opinion on slavery can not be argued by Jefferson. Jefferson absolutely has to accept what Banneker is saying because of how he portrayed, and wrote his letter. Banneker starts the letter off with referring to Jefferson as ‘Sir’, and does this in every paragraph to solidify and ensure that he is being polite while still getting his point across. This was to make Jefferson believe what Banneker was saying, to show Jefferson that he does have respect towards him and that he is taking this letter seriously so Jefferson should too. Banneker does this to help Jefferson believe that Banneker knows what he is talking about, that he is credible, so he can fix his moral dilemma, and help him make the choice toward ending
In the letter, Benjamin Banneker, a son of former slaves, farmer, astronomer, mathematician and author, wrote to President George Washington in 1791 he argues against the practice of slavery. Banneker supports his argument by using emotional appeal and alluding to the declaration of independence and the Bible. Banneker uses these methods in order to convince Washington of the wrongs of slavery. With the letter being written with the sole audience of President Washington it has a respectful but critical to as to get his point across but not impolite while doing so. Banneker successfully uses these strategies to present an argument to Washington about how immoral slavery is and why it should be abolished.
From this, derives a bond with the reader that pushes their understanding of the evil nature of slavery that society deemed appropriate therefore enhancing their understanding of history. While only glossed over in most classroom settings of the twenty-first century, students often neglect the sad but true reality that the backbone of slavery, was the dehumanization of an entire race of people. To create a group of individuals known for their extreme oppression derived from slavery, required plantation owner’s of the South to constantly embedded certain values into the lives of their slaves. To talk back means to be whipped.
In order for Banneker to display his knowledge, he uses “sir” in the beginning sentences in each paragraph. “Sir, suffer me to recall to your mind…”, Banneker uses “sir” several times to show his credibility. Since Thomas Jefferson was the framer of the Declaration of Independence, Banneker has to be intelligent in order to appeal to Jefferson. Also, by repeating “sir” in each paragraph, it allows Banneker to demonstrate his respect. Banneker has also repeated “you” many times referring to Jefferson.
Olaudah Equiano was a slave since he was 13. When he got to the age of 21 his proprietor permitted him to purchase himself off of subjugation, and in this story he is educating us regarding how he felt about being a slave and how it was extremely frightful to be a slave on a boat with being a starved, encompassed by affliction, and abuse. Benjamin Banneker letter to, Thomas Jefferson was considered as challenge writing since he was composing a chronicle to secretary of state Thomas Jefferson in acknowledgment on the most proficient method to abrogating subjugation ought to be. Banneker felt in Jefferson 's life he ought to concur with him that servitude was really merciless and only