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Benjamin Banneker Rhetorical Analysis Essay

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In 1791, Benjamin Banneker, son of a former slave, wrote to Thomas Jefferson in an effort to persuade him in opposition to slavery. Banneker uses allusions from the bible and historical events, emotional and logical appeal, and a respectful yet urgent tone in order to dispute slavery. Banneker’s use of allusions from the bible also appeals religiously. He attacks Jefferson by stating that he “counteracts his mercies” by letting slavery to continue. Banneker uses religion to make Jefferson feel guilty, by using a parallel with Job and slaves. They both endured pain and suffering even though they did not deserve it. He also alludes to the Declaration of Independence to point out that Jefferson himself wrote “all men are created equal” and have the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” It proves that Banneker is knowledgeable and trustworthy, and also points out …show more content…

By asking Jefferson to look back to before the American Revolution when the white colonists felt oppressed, and to notice how similar it is to the slaves being oppressed. Through this allusion to a time of oppression for the white colonists he creates empathy for the enslaved people because Thomas Jefferson should know how it is like to be oppressed and not have your voice heard. He also invokes guilt by saying Jefferson “cannot but acknowledge the present freedom and tranquility which you enjoy” now that America has been freed by Britain. This would make Jefferson guilty since he got the freedom he wanted while thousands of African Americans remained enslaved in the United States. Once again Banneker uses logical appeal to point out the white people hypocrisy. He points out “how pitiable it is” that while God granted the white Americans freedom, Jefferson “counteract [God’s] mercies in detaining by fraud and violence so numerous a part of my brethren under groaning captivity and cruel

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