ipl-logo

Frederick Douglas's Speech: Hypocrisy Within The Nation

264 Words2 Pages

Frederick 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. Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us. The blessings in which you this day are

Show More
Related

  • Frederick Douglas: Blatant Hypocrisy Of Southern Christianity

    467 Words  | 2 Pages

    Anthony Rizzo Mr. Curdt English 100 4/12/16 Frederick Douglass’s view on Southern Christianity Although Frederick Douglass condemns the blatant hypocrisy of Southern Christianity most forcefully in his account of his desire of a Sabbath School, a close reading of when Frederick describes about Mr. Johnson reveals how Douglass celebrates those who, in their compassion and charity, reflect the true model of Christ. Douglass condemns the blatant hypocrisy of Southern Christianity most forcefully in his account of witnessing his Sabbath School forcefully broken apart. During Douglass’s time at St. Michael’s, a white man named Mr. Wilson starts up a Sabbath school designed to teach slaves how to read the New Testament on the Sabbath. Mr. West and Mr. Fairbanks were the ones who “broke up our virtuous little Sabbath school. ”(75)These two men who led classes to teach scripture to whites, on the grounds that they don't want slaves to learn to read at all.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of The Hypocrisy Of America Slavery

    304 Words  | 2 Pages

    In “The Hypocrisy of America Slavery,” Frederick Douglas asserts that the American people are hypocritical to be celebrating the 4th of July, a day to celebrate freedom, yet they still imprison nearly four million humans in slavery. Douglas uses an abundant amount of rhetorical devices to defend his claim which are highly effective. He begins his speech which a series of rhetorical questions asking the people to consider why he was asked to speak today about independence when the majority of his race does not have this benefit. This is used to create pathos. It guilts the audience and forces them to reflect on how a day they celebrate freedom and there are still people in bondage.

    Read More

  • A Rhetorical Analysis Of Fredrick Douglas's Speech

    146 Words  | 1 Pages

    In this speech given by Fredrick Douglas, a man fighting for racial equality, Fredrick Douglas uses a precise tone which can only be described as accusatory. He expresses this feeling several times the most prominent of which is "a thin veil covering crimes which would disgrace a nation" (68). This shows that he accuses America for the slavery the slaves are dealt with and claims it is shameful for a country which is supposedly the "country of freedom" to restrict people who have done no wrongs from their freedom. He also accuses them by saying that the boast of celebration they speak is just a thin blanket barely protecting them from being exposed to the cold world around them, so that nobody knows their horrendous secret. One should be able

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Devices In Fredrick Douglas's Impactful Speech

    291 Words  | 2 Pages

    Fredrick Douglas gave an extremely moving and impactful speech which includes many rhetorical devices and appeals.   Douglas uses rehetoical devices such as irony and rhetorical questions.   Douglas uses irony when saying, "America vis false to the past, false to the present, and solemnly binds herself to be false to the future", Douglas explains that America is false to its foundation of freedom, as slaves in America have to fight for their freedom.   Douglas shows the irony of America being built on freedom while slaves within America now have to fight for their freedom, effectively showing Americans that the premise that the country was built on is being denied to African Americans.   Douglas also uses rhetorical questions to effectively show

    Read More

  • Frederick Douglas's Letter To Rochester Ladies Anti-Slavery

    526 Words  | 3 Pages

    Frederick Douglass was an African American abolitionist, who fought to end slavery after he escaped slavery in Maryland. He became a national leader against slavery, whose writing still inspires people today. In a letter written to the Rochester Ladies Anti-Slavery Society, Douglas questions why they are celebrating freedom on Independece Day whilst there are still people enslaved in America. He uses logical reasoning, diction, and syntax to assert his argument.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Essay On A Vindication Of The Rights Of Women

    2333 Words  | 10 Pages

    Douglass 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.

    Read More

  • Frederick Douglass Dbq

    770 Words  | 4 Pages

    Throughout his career he became a prominent activist, author and public speaker. On July 5, 1852, Douglass gave a speech at an event commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Douglass told his audience "This Fourth of July is yours, not mine” (Paragraph 3). Throughout this speech Douglass comes across knowledgeable by giving facts and making strong irrefutable arguments. Douglass stated “There are seventy-two crimes in the State of Virginia, which, if committed by a black man (no matter how ignorant he be), subject him to the punishment of death; while only two of these same crimes will subject a white man to like punishment” (Paragraph 7).

    Read More

  • 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,

    Read More

  • What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July Essay

    636 Words  | 3 Pages

    Freedom 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?"

    Read More

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

    582 Words  | 3 Pages

    So 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

    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

  • Meaning Of The July Fourth For The Negro By Frederick Douglass

    1110 Words  | 5 Pages

    Douglass 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).

    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

More about Frederick Douglas's Speech: Hypocrisy Within The Nation

Open Document