ipl-logo

Benjamin Banneker Letter To Thomas Jefferson Analysis

651 Words3 Pages

Hypocrisy is one of the worst moral crimes someone can commit. Benjamin Banneker's letter to Thomas Jefferson explains that he has committed this crime. He has gone back on his morale of everyone having unalienable rights by letting slavery continue to happen, and Banneker believes he is the prime contender in allowing this crime to happen and that he should be the start and make the move to stop slavery. Banneker explains this to Jefferson in such a way that the letter is both respectful and thoughtful while also being rude due to the use of how he phrases his sentences, that his argument can not be questioned because of his use of ‘Sir’ to show his respect, and his ardent choice of words which are all collectively used to explain how Jefferson is being hypocritical and show him why he should fix this. …show more content…

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

Show More
Related

  • Benjamin Banneker's Argument Against Slavery

    229 Words  | 1 Pages

    Benjamin Banneker in the letter, argues against slavery. Banneker uses biblical allusion, and a melancholic tone in order to argue against slavery to Thomas Jefferson in 1791.     Banneker uses biblical allusion in order to demonstrate that all humans should be treated the same, and have equal rights. For example, “you cannot but acknowledge that the present freedom and tranquility which you enjoy you have mercifully received and that it is the pecular blessing of Heaven” (Banneker 1). Banneker presents his argument by stating that Thomas Jefferson has freedom because of heaven, and he should extend the same right to everyone else.

    Read More

  • Benjamin Banneker's Rhetorical Analysis

    222 Words  | 1 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Benjamin Banneker Letter

    457 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Indenture Contract Of George Mason And Gyles Sone

    904 Words  | 4 Pages

    What three things does the author say that you think is important? o One major factor that Banneker uses in his letter to influence Jefferson’s decisions is the fact that he is an educated black man. He sends Jefferson a personal copy of his almanac to prove to him that blacks don’t always have to be inferior to whites in education. Banneker also quotes certain statements of the Declaration in his letter to further prove his point of how these quotes can be applied to African Americans.

    Read More

  • Summary Of Letter To Thomas Jefferson By Benjamin Banneker

    401 Words  | 2 Pages

    Banneker recites a line from the Declaration Of Independence which Thomas Jefferson framed himself. The line goes “we hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal”. The purpose of Banneker incorporating this line is to expose the fact that Jefferson does indeed believe that “all men are created equal”. So for Jefferson to own slaves and not help abolish slavery knowing that all are created equal makes him a hypocrite. What’s also included in the 4th paragraph is Banneker’s understanding of the circumstances that caused for Jefferson and others to write the Declaration Of Independence in the first place.

    Read More

  • Benjamin Banneker Letter To Jefferson And Washington Rhetorical Analysis

    504 Words  | 3 Pages

    In a prompt by Benjamin Banneker, the writer reveals his anger over the injustice of a state of slavery. He would like the reader to know about the unfair treatment of these individuals and the injustices that they regularly face. The writer of this essay creates a strong impression about the unequal distribution of rights in his environment. To try and explain his thoughts on the subject, Banneker uses a variety of rhetorical strategies in his letter to Jefferson and Washington. First of all, Banneker uses antithesis in his letter to Jefferson and Washington.

    Read More

  • Benjamin Banneker's Arguments Against Slavery

    697 Words  | 3 Pages

    Banneker appeals to ethos to help his arguments. He uses great vocabulary and makes no mistakes in his letter. Furthermore, Banneker says the words, “Tranquility, benevolence, and entreat.” Banneker is using high vocabulary to make Thomas Jefferson acknowledge his argument no full of foul

    Read More

  • Summary Of Benjamin Banneker's Letter To Jefferson

    616 Words  | 3 Pages

    Benjamin Banneker, in his letter to Thomas Jefferson, offers a series of arguments against the institution of slavery through a respectful tone, references to history, and the Bible. As a son of former slaves, Banneker is seeking justice for the black population and uses Jefferson’s own words against him as he speaks on behalf of “Black America.” He shares his opinions with Jefferson, who is higher authority, in a respectful manner while still managing to criticize him. Banneker starts off his letter to Jefferson by calling his “Sir.” He refers to Jefferson this way because he wants to be respectful to this man who exists as a higher authority as a politician.

    Read More

  • James Ivory's Jefferson In Paris

    883 Words  | 4 Pages

    " This is inaccurate because the scene was set in 1786, whereas slavery would not be outlawed in France until 1791, five years after Jefferson left and it would be reintroduced in 1802 by Napoleon. France is further misconstrued as a racially equal society when Sally’s brother James asks Jefferson for compensation for his services. Again, freedmen were not recognized in France, therefore slaves would have had no place seeking compensation from their

    Read More

  • Questions And Answers Of Benjamin Banneker's Letter To Jefferson

    780 Words  | 4 Pages

    1. What type of document is it? What is the title of the document? The type of document is a letter, titled Banneker 's Letter to Jefferson.

    Read More

  • Slavery In Ronald Takaki's A Different Mirror

    828 Words  | 4 Pages

    In multiple letters and notes he wrote he expressed his guilt for the slaves and once the slaves paid off their debt and Jefferson’s he hoped to free them. Jefferson and his slaves remained in debt until the day he died. Jefferson believed that slavery not only deprived blacks of their liberty but had an “unhappy” influence on the masters and their children (Takaki 63). If a master is constantly punishing a slave and cannot restrain, the child’s master will imitate and master it, resulting in a nonstop cycle of slavery.

    Read More

  • Summary Of Benjamin Banneker's Letter To Thomas Jefferson

    612 Words  | 3 Pages

    He shows the politeness to allow Jefferson to note that race does not make one inferior and that Banneker thinks of him as an equal. By stroking Jefferson’s ego and showing him respect continually allows Banneker to have a more educated conversation with

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Benjamin Banneker's Letter To Thomas Jefferson

    437 Words  | 2 Pages

    Author and highly intelligent son of a former slave, Benjamin Banneker, in a letter to Thomas Jefferson argues towards Jefferson being more active in the abolishment of slavery. In order to illuminate injustice, Banneker uses repetition and quotes. He develops an outraged and formal tone to convey his message to Thomas Jefferson. Repetition is used to reiterate the influence Jefferson has on the abolishment of slavery. Banneker uses “sir” multiple times through his letter to parade Jefferson's importance.

    Read More

  • Benjamin Banneker Rhetorical Analysis

    470 Words  | 2 Pages

    Banneker wrote a letter that argues against slavery from a former slave’s son point of view. He has argued against slavery by demonstrating his knowledge through word choices and repetition, and showed respect through his tone. By doing so, Banneker was able to argue against slavery and provoke Jefferson’s emotions on

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Hypocrisy Of American Slavery

    1025 Words  | 5 Pages

    He 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.

    Read More

More about Benjamin Banneker Letter To Thomas Jefferson Analysis

Open Document