Analysis Of The Fourth Of July
In Frederick Douglass’s The Meaning of Fourth of July for the Negro, he exposes the hypocrisy and iniquity that is infused into considerably one of the most prolific American moments in history known as The Fourth of July. Douglass, who was a former slave that eventually reached freedom, was invited to speak about what Fourth of July meant for the black population within America. Although Douglass provided much gratitude to the Founding Fathers for their courage and ability to oppose oppressive systems, he criticizes the American country for its involvement within slavery. Slavery served as the foundation that constructed America, allowing for it fuel the economy and develop into a cultural and political norm within society. I agree with much …show more content…
Unfortunately for these individuals, this celebration of “political freedom” was not applied to their ancestors. In fact, their ancestors were not granted to receive freedom similar to the Founding Fathers. Instead, these individuals were held hostage by the evils of slavery being brutally beaten, raped, whipped, chained, and murdered. Why should one wish to celebrate this moment in history when he/she was not even granted the ability to be free? To exemplify his frustration of such hypocrisy crafted by America’s Founding Fathers, Douglas stated …show more content…
For white men, this is a day of gratification and happiness as All men(according to the Declaration of Independence) could escape the oppressive British control and live freely on new land, but for many African-Americans, including Douglass, this is a day of exile, pain, anguish, isolation, and deprivation. For the millions of white Americans, this “anniversary” is for them, not for African-Americans according to Douglass. I believe that there should not be any desire to celebrate this day because this day does not celebrate and/or symbolize the moment my ancestors gained freedom. Rather, this day serves as a rejuvenation of the white-hegemonic racial institution that continues to hinder the social, intellectual, economic, physical, and spiritual well-being of black and brown individuals. To further display the hypocrisy of this celebration, Douglas goes on to say “Fellow-citizens, above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions! whose chains, heavy and grievous yesterday, are, to-day, rendered more intolerable by the jubilee shouts that reach them.” Douglas’s use of vivid imagery and onomatopoeia constructs a vivid display of the terrific treatment that many African-American slaves endured. The Declaration of Independence claimed that all men possess the right to obtain life, liberty, and property. To
Rhetorical Analysis Of Independence Day By Frederick Douglass
318 Words | 2 PagesIn the text, Frederick Douglass who once a slave wanted to acknowledge the unfulfilled promise of equality and independence through the holiday “Independence day.” In his address he talks about how people celebrate independence day even though everyone is not free. Frederick douglass wants to persuade the rochester ladies anti slavery group to stop celeberating indepence day becasue it is a hypcritical holiday becuase there are still people in America that are not fully free in their independence. Douglass creates a serious tone in order to establish the seriousness that Independence day is a day that should not be celebrated due to the fact that it is not what it says it is. Frederick Douglass appeals to the audience by the use
Rhetorical Analysis Essay On A Vindication Of The Rights Of Women
2333 Words | 10 PagesDouglass establishes his credibility and authority on the issue of slavery and inequality in the United States by drawing on his own experience and expertise. He begins the speech by introducing himself as a former slave and expressing his sadness and disappointment at the Fourth of July festivities which celebrate the nation’s independence while ignoring the ongoing oppression of African Americans. He says, “I am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us.” By acknowledging his own identity as a former slave, Douglass gives himself immediate credibility on the issue of slavery and inequality.
Frederick Douglas's Speech: Hypocrisy Within The Nation
264 Words | 2 PagesFrederick Douglas’s intention when writing this speech was to reveal hypocrisy within the nation. Intending for his words to reach and span all over America, in attempts to initiate change. Douglas delivered his speech on the 4th of July, a time when the nation celebrates the freedom of Great Britain, but more importantly the value of freedom that citizens have. However not all citizens possess this value, since African Americans are being enslaved and discriminated against by society, highlighting the hypocrisy within the nation. Addressing this issue in his speech, Douglas stated “ I am not included in this glorious anniversary.
Hypocrisy Of Slavery Analysis
1657 Words | 7 Pages“The Hypocrisy of American Slavery: Slavery at its best” Frederick Douglass an activist for anti racism and also an abolitionist’s speech “The Hypocrisy of Slavery” was given on the occasion of celebrating the independence day. Here, in this speech he actually brought out some questions like why we should celebrate Independence Day while almost four million people were kept chained as a slave. He actually mocked the fact of the people of America’s double standards which is that they are singing out the song of liberty, on the other hand holding the chain of slavery. Frederick Douglass, a former American-African slave who managed to escape from his slavery and later on became an abolitionist gave this speech on Fourth of July,
The Fourth Of July Rhetorical Analysis
1025 Words | 5 PagesMany people when they hear the words “Fourth of July” they think about fireworks, cookouts, and sparklers! During the 1850’s it is a day that reminded many of the horrors and injustices in the world. On July 4, 1852 Frederick Douglass, a former American slave and an abolitionist leader, spoke in Rochester, New York about the affectation of celebrating independence. In his speech, “The Hypocrisy of American Slavery” he claims celebrating independence when there are slaves widespread is unethical. To convince the reader of his claim he uses rhetorical questions, word choice and anthesis in hopes to shed light and spark action on the wrongful situation.
Compare And Contrast Douglass And Mary Rowlandsson
1157 Words | 5 PagesFredric Douglass wrote, “What to the Slave is Fourth of July” in 1852. In this speech to the American public, Douglass states how great of a country American “was” and how great the forefathers “were”. In contrast to those statements he professes his reasoning for freeing slaves. However, Mary Rowlandson wrote, “A True History of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson” in 1682. This captive narrative takes place during the King Philips war, and depicts how the native Americans treated their prisoners of war.
Similarities And Differences Of Martin Luther King Jr And Frederick Douglass
873 Words | 4 PagesAlthough 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.
What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July Essay
636 Words | 3 PagesFreedom is the primary ideal upon which America was founded. It is the tenet most cherished by the original colonists; it is a pillar upon which they built the new government. However, freedom was denied to a large part of America's citizens for a long time. Frederick Douglas was one of the greatest activists for African-American freedom of the 19th century; he used literary works and speeches, instead of violence, to achieve his goals. In his piece "What, to the Slave, is the Fourth of July?"
Summary Of What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July
582 Words | 3 PagesSo to the African American community in the south the 4th of July was just another day because unless you lived in the north you didn’t get to experience these freedoms that whites enjoyed. Fredrick Douglass was first invited to do a speech in Rochester, New York while addressing the Rochester Ladies Antislavery Society. It’s clear from the beginning of the speech that Fredrick appears very nervous and actually apologies to
Rhetorical Analysis Of Frederick Douglass
828 Words | 4 PagesHe 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
Hypocrisy Of Slavery Rhetorical Devices
1032 Words | 5 PagesIn 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.
Rhetorical Devices In Frederick Douglass's Speech
1024 Words | 5 PagesThe 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.
Meaning Of The July Fourth For The Negro By Frederick Douglass
1110 Words | 5 PagesDouglass expresses to his spectators, while they dwell in the luxurious ability to partake in this joyous celebration of freedom for a nation, not everyone in that nation is sharing in the celebration. In The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro, he writes “The blessings in which you, this day, rejoice, are not enjoyed in common. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence bequeathed by your fathers, is shared by you and not by me. This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn” (Douglass 1).
Rhetorical Devices In The Fourth Of July
1056 Words | 5 PagesWhen 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.
Rhetorical Analysis Of Hypocrisy Of American Slavery
1025 Words | 5 PagesHe declares, “to forget them [the slaves], to pass lightly over their wrongs and to chime in with the popular theme would be treason most scandalous and shocking, and would make me a reproach before God and the world,” (para. 5). He discusses that slavery is unjust, and says that celebrating freedom with slavery would be treason. This helps the audience realize that celebrating freedom in their country is not a peccadillo, and they naturally will try to right the wrong because of their moral instincts by stopping their celebration. He also says, “to him your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mock; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are to him mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy - a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages,” (para. 15). In this quote, Douglass says that celebrating liberty is covering up a crime: slavery.
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