ipl-logo

4th Of July Rhetorical Analysis

775 Words4 Pages

Rhetorical Analysis

Frederick Douglass composed a speech for the 4th of July for the citizens of Rochester, New York. He emphasizes the hypocrisy of the American Government in his "What To The Slave Is The 4th Of July?". The people of Rochester thought that it would be suitable for Douglass to write the speech because he was a slave.

Fourth of July is a celebration marking America's independence from Great Britain. Every year we celebrate with fireworks and a celebration to celebrate the freedom that was granted to us yet the slaves weren't considered independent. Slaves were treated with no respect at all as Douglass uses parallelism to show how slaves were treated equivalently to trash. "What am I to argue that it is wrong to make men …show more content…

That he is the rightful owner of his body? you have already declared it. [...] there is not a man beneath canopy of heaven who does not know that slavery is wrong for him” (14) The whole statement here is hypocritical because men shouldn’t have to argue the necessity of liberty it should be basic knowledge. The only person who can have hold of your character would be your parents because they were the ones who conceived and raised you. Instead of just explaining why slavery is morally wrong Douglass uses syntax to add an extra effect and attract attention to his claim. The speech is a mockery to Frederick Douglass and his fellow brothers and sisters who were victims to slavery. “FELLOW CITIZENS, above your nation, Tumultuous joy,I hear the mournful wails of millions!- whose chains, heavy and grievous yesterday, are rendered more intolerable by the jubilee shouts that reach them”(5) The injustice of slaves hasn’t been resolved and while many people wail with joy other battle their way through each day. They have been sold countless of times yet no one does anything. Abolitionist can only do so much to give them the life that slaves deserve. Instead of being so hypocritical and mocking towards the people who have worked harder than anyone who is present in the audience. Those who haven’t felt the despair in their bones should stand up and fight for the meaning of the Fourth of

Show More
Related

  • Compare And Contrast Douglass And Mary Rowlandsson

    1157 Words  | 5 Pages

    Although from different eras, both Douglass and Rowlandson use similar techniques such as religion, repetition, and sentimentalism to show that being held captive and slavery is wrong. America was founded on Christian beliefs, so Douglass attacked that. He states, “If the churches and ministers of our country were not stupidly blind, or most wickedly indifferent, they, too, would so regard it” (Douglass 1037) Douglass is making a bold move that will spark controversy. He uses statements like this to keep the audience’s attention.

    Read More

  • Rhetoric In Fredrick Douglass 'As With Rivers So With Nation'

    257 Words  | 2 Pages

    Frederick Douglass was a great writer, but he wasn’t always. He was an escaped slave who used that in his speeches as a topic to gain the attention of his audience. His audience was a seemingly sympathetic one and got to them through rhetorical questions. Douglass wanted to convey the message that there are many changes that need to be made.

    Read More

  • Similarities And Differences Of Martin Luther King Jr And Frederick Douglass

    873 Words  | 4 Pages

    Although a century apart, Martin Luther King Jr’s Letter from Birmingham Jail and Frederick Douglass’s What to a Slave is the fourth of July are kindred spirits. Notwithstanding the many differences in their respective writing styles, deep down the essence of the message conveyed is still very much the same. Both Martin Luther King Junior and Frederick Douglas had similar beliefs and concepts related to the treatment of the African American community. They both describe a tough yet heart breaking situation that makes them question their moral values and doubt the system and its ability to change for better.

    Read More

  • Frederick Douglass Position Of Slavery

    1574 Words  | 7 Pages

    Douglass’s position differ from those who supported slavery is that people who supported slavery, they thought it was a natural thing to do because on the Document “ Slavery a positive Good” on paragraph 1 it says, “ To maintain the existing relations between two races, inhabiting that section of the Union, is indispensable to the peace and happiness of both…. But let me not be understood as admitting, even by implication, that the existing relations between two races in the slaveholding states is an evil: - far otherwise; I hold to be good, as it has thus far proved itself both, and will continue to prove so if not disturbed by the fell spirit of abolition.” What this piece of evidence is saying is that slavery is a good thing and not a bad thing and that abolition should stop. Another way that Frederick Douglass’s position is different from people that support is that people who support slavery is that the people who support slavery has a different perspective of what is right and what is wrong because on the Document “ Slavery a Positive Good” paragraph 2 it says,” I hold in the present state of civilization, where two races of different origin, and distinguished by color, and other physical differences, as well as intellectual, are brought together, the relation now existing in the slaveholding States between the two is, instead of an evil, a good- a positive good… I hold then, that

    Read More

  • Frederick Douglass Argumentative Essay

    460 Words  | 2 Pages

    Douglass disproves this argument in many ways. For example, one way is when Douglass is staying with Mr. and Mrs. Auld, and they teach Douglass how to read, “Very soon after I went to live with Mr. and Mrs. Auld, she very kindly commenced to teach me the A, B, C” (40). Douglass at this point uses diction to show him being rebellious, and has disobeyed one of the “rules” of slaves, the inability to read and write. Douglass writes using strong syntax, “What he most dreaded, that I most desired.

    Read More

  • Frederick Douglass Hypocrisy Essay

    1049 Words  | 5 Pages

    Group Essay on Frederick Douglass “That this little book may do something toward throwing light on the American slave system”, and that Frederick Douglass does in his eponymous autobiography. Douglass throws light by dispelling the myths of the slave system, which received support from all parts of society. To dispel these myths Douglass begins to construct an argument composed around a series of rhetorical appeals and devices. Douglass illustrates that slavery is dehumanizing, corrupting, and promotes Christian hypocrisy. Using telling details, Douglass describes the dehumanizing effects of the slave system which condones the treatment of human beings as property.

    Read More

  • Frederick Douglass Ethos Analysis

    521 Words  | 3 Pages

    On July 5th 1852 Fredrick Douglass gave a speech to the anti-slavery society to show that all men and woman are equal no matter what. Douglass uses ethos, pathos, and logos in his speech to make look reasonable. Douglass demonstrates ethos by speaking in first person that of which he had experience slavery: "I was born amid such sights and scenes"(Douglass 4). When Douglass spoke these words to the society, they knew of his personal knowledge and was able to depend on him has a reliable source of information. The anti-slavery society listening to his every word, considering that Douglass spoke with integrity, knowledge and emotions.

    Read More

  • What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July Essay

    636 Words  | 3 Pages

    He proclaims that "…While we are…living, moving, acting, thinking, planning, living in families as husbands, wives and children, and, above all, confessing and worshipping the Christian's God, and looking hopefully for life and immortality beyond the grave, we are called upon to prove that we are men!" By showing the mundanity of the slave, Douglass shows the audience that the slaves are human and therefore unable to be considered property. He forces his audience to examine their own lives and realize their similarities to the slaves and the hypocrisy of slavery. He doesn't give his audience a chance to disagree with his stance on slavery because he makes such a blunt argument. Douglass asks again, "Must I undertake to prove that the slave is a man?

    Read More

  • Summary Of What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July

    582 Words  | 3 Pages

    What to the Slave is the Fourth of July Introduction The 4th of July is an important day in American history it represents freedom and is usually associated with fireworks, parades, alcohol, and concerts. Those activities more or less represent today’s culture. When Fredrick Douglass made his speech he talked about American values such as liberty, citizenship, and freedom. The irony of this speech was that at the time white Americans in the south were still participating in slave trading.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Frederick Douglass

    828 Words  | 4 Pages

    He questions his audience of the significance of Independence Day to slaves, and he answers it in an extremely contrasting way: “your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; … your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery,” that the celebration is “a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages.” Douglass dismisses the national pride, characterizing it as a mere expression of people’s ignorance. The antithesis, with “greatness” being “vanity,” “sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless,” and “shouts of liberty and equality” being “hollow mockery,” provokes shock and anger from the audience, who have just been part of it and are now degraded as “savages.” However, Douglass was not trying to be inflammatory but provocative, witnessing the pathetic enthusiasm in the anniversary, that people feel exuberant about themselves while ignoring the saddening

    Read More

  • Hypocrisy Of Slavery Rhetorical Devices

    1032 Words  | 5 Pages

    In 1776, on July 4th, the 13 English colonies officially declared their freedom from England. However, as the years progressed, slavery became incorporated into everyday American life. In 1852, former slave Frederick Douglass gave a speech to celebrate America’s independence; however, instead of praising the country, he censured Americans for saying they were a “country of the free”. In the speech, Hypocrisy of American Slavery, Frederick Douglass declares that Americans should not be celebrating their freedom when there are slaves living in the country. To convince his audience that Americans are wrong celebrating freedom on the 4th of July when slavery exists in their country, he uses emotional appeal, ethical appeal, and rhetorical questions.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Devices In Frederick Douglass's Speech

    1024 Words  | 5 Pages

    The fourth of July and slaves really don’t mix. Frederick douglass was born as a slave and he does a speech on the fourth of july and they are thinking that he is going to give a whora speech but he dont do that it 's the complete opposite of what they thought. In frederick douglass, Hypocrisy of American Slavery he attacks the hypocrisy of a nation celebrating freedom and independence with speeches, parades and platitudes, while, within its borders, nearly four million humans were being kept as slaves. Overall douglass has explained his speech through emotional,ethical,logical appeal and through rhetorical questions.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Devices In The Fourth Of July

    1056 Words  | 5 Pages

    When most people hear the words “Fourth of July” they think about fireworks, cookouts, and sparklers. During the 1850’s, the Fourth of July served as a reminder of the many horrors and injustices in the world. On July 4, 1852, Frederick Douglass-- a former American slave, abolitionist leader and adroit speaker-- spoke in Rochester, New York about the affectation of celebrating independence. In his speech, “The Hypocrisy of American Slavery”, he claims celebrating independence is unethical when slavery is widespread. To convince the reader of his claim, he uses rhetorical questions, emotional appeal, and antithesis in hopes of shedding light and sparking action on the wrongful situation.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Hypocrisy Of American Slavery

    1025 Words  | 5 Pages

    In 1776, on July 4th, the 13 English colonies officially declared their freedom from England. However, as the years progressed, slavery became incorporated into everyday American life. In 1852, Frederick Douglass, a former slave, was called upon to deliver a speech to celebrate America’s independence; however, he censured Americans for saying they were a “country of the free”. In the speech, Hypocrisy of American Slavery, Frederick Douglass declares that Americans should not be celebrating their freedom when there are slaves living in the country. He uses emotional appeal, ethical appeal, and rhetorical questions to convince his audience that Americans are wrong celebrating freedom on the 4th of July when slavery exists in their country.

    Read More

  • What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July Rhetorical Analysis

    464 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout Douglass's speech, he exceeds expectations by adding excellent examples of ethos, pathos, and unique tone. These examples help the audience see his viewpoints and helps him connect with them. The literary devices used in his speech “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”, aided in his fight against

    Read More

More about 4th Of July Rhetorical Analysis

Open Document