Slavery is a very harsh system in which, people are treated as property rather than actual human beings. Benjamin Banneker was not only a former, but a great thinker and an author. In 1791, Banneker wrote to Thomas Jefferson to discuss his views on slavery. In his letter, Banneker used emotional diction, tone, and allusion to argue his point that slavery is unjust and should be abolished.
Throughout his letter, Banneker makes use of diction with very heavy negative connotations. For example, Banneker used the phrases “groaning captivity”, “cruel oppression” and “injustice” to refer to slavery. Banneker chooses these words to emphasize the cruel actions that were being done to the slaves. Banneker also refers to the slaves as “[his brethren]”. By calling the slaves “[his] brethren”, it established his ethos because it personalizes the letter because it shows that these harsh conditions were done to him too. By making use of these phrases, Banneker makes an appeal to pathos that would make Jefferson to ponder over whether or not keeping slaves enslaved is the right idea. Making use of these words also emphasizes the vulgarity of slavery which is what Banneker wanted to convey to Jefferson.
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The tone overall tone of the letter is satirical. Throughout the letter, Banneker subtly reprimands Jefferson. For example, in the second paragraph of his essay, Banneker directly quotes Jefferson’s input to the Declaration of independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” By directly quoting Jefferson, Banneker essentially say it is ironic that Jefferson preaches equality, yet denies African Americans this “equality”. In a sense, Banneker is labeling Jefferson a hypocrite for not enforcing something he feels so strongly
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.
Benjamin Banneker wrote to Thomas Jefferson, the purpose of the letter was to argue against slavery. Banneker relies on the use of rhetorical devices to supply back up for his side of the argument. In addition, Banneker is a well-educated man (see farmer, astronomer, mathematician, surveyor, and author) so he can use his education to impress Jefferson with his smarts and logicalness. Throughout the letter to Jefferson, Banneker addresses Jefferson in the highest regard.
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
He is using flattery to potentially get Jefferson on his side. Banneker uses positive diction throughout the first paragraph.
Benjamin Bannecker in this excerpt eloquently uses a fine-tuned balance of Pathos, Logos and Ethos to mould a thought-provoking argument to Thomas Jefferson against slavery. Banneker uses Pathos and emotional appeal consistently throughout his writing by attempting to draw parallels between the subjugation of Jefferson under the British Crown (lines 1-5) and the oppression of slaves by their masters (lines 45-47) to communicate the feelings of his persecuted brothers which Jefferson might sympathize with having experienced oppression by an outsider himself. Moreover, he strives to establish a sentiment of love and empathy towards one another and for Jefferson’s heart to be “enlarged with kindness and benevolence towards them”, referring to
As Banneker addresses Thomas Jefferson, he compels him to realize the effect slavery had on slaves. He is concerned slaves are promised “inalienable rights” that are being stripped away from them. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence and stated these rights diligently.
Benjamin Banneker was successful through the use of some words like "sir," "recall" and "grateful." Utilizing such words like these most likely made an impression on the individual whose this letter was written to, it exemplifies how African Americans aren't just property they are capable of much more and are not "savage" as some view them as. Being professional and serene in a letter on a solemn topic shows a level of sophistication that must be taken seriously, as well as justifies the idea that slavery isn't something that should be played out. Then later in the letter Banneker switches to a more strong and provocative diction. He uses this diction to truly get his point across on the board, he starts off neutral
Banneker Also uses a bible allusion. Furthermore, he says, “Thus shall your hearts be enlarged with kindness and benevolence towards them; and thus shall you need neither the direction of myself or others, in what manner to proceed herein.” He uses this to make him feel better for calling him a hypocrite earlier in his letter. He says this make Thomas Jefferson feel as if it’s not too late to change. This makes Jefferson feel that it’s not all he fault and just needs to take Banneker’s advice.
Banneker uses logos, anaphora, pathos, and juxtaposition to create a respectful but critical tone, with phrases such as “freedom and tranquility”, his repetition of “sir” and his continued treatment of Jefferson as a student who has the knowledge but is not applying themselves. Banneker’s tone throughout the letter is that of great respect for Jefferson as a person, and as an equal, but little respect for his opinions and use of power such as in the Declaration of Independence. He uses logos to emphasize this earnest respect that he has with sentences like “I suppose your knowledge of the situation of my brethren is too extensive to need a recital here”, where he uses logos to both point out that he knows Jefferson has the knowledge, but
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.
He points out personal facts about how he feels when he says, “I often found myself regretting my own existence, and wishing myself dead; and but for the hope of being free, I have no doubt but that I should have killed myself or done something foe which I should have been killed”. The words that he uses explains the emotions that he was going through and to build an appeal to emotions. Throughout the time that he has been expanding his knowledge he runs across the word “abolitionist” which means it’s a movement to end slavery. He was always eager for someone to speak about it and he was ready to listen he says, “I did not dare ask anyone about its meaning, for I was satisfied that it was something they wanted me to know very little about”. He says this because he realized that the word is spoken very rarely and he knew if he spoke that word and someone heard him, he could get penalized.
Although Banneker (1797) was not a slave he always referred to himself as one, he believed that he was on the same level of his people and felt the need to fight alongside them. Banneker (1791)cannot comprehend why the people of religious beliefs do not take a stand with the people of darker complexion, he acknowledges that people of lighter complexion are entitled to their rights of human nature more than the people of the darker complexion (p 51).Banneker (1791) says “ I hope you cannot but acknowledge, that it is the indispensable duty of those who maintain for themselves the rights of human nature and who profess the obligations of the Christianity to extend their influence to the relief of every part of the human race (p 51)”. Banneker (1791) desperately wants for people of religious beliefs and lighter complexion to stand up against slavery and in essence practice what they
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
In the letter, Benjamin Banneker, a son of former slaves, farmer, astronomer, mathematician and author, wrote to President George Washington in 1791 he argues against the practice of slavery. Banneker supports his argument by using emotional appeal and alluding to the declaration of independence and the Bible. Banneker uses these methods in order to convince Washington of the wrongs of slavery. With the letter being written with the sole audience of President Washington it has a respectful but critical to as to get his point across but not impolite while doing so. Banneker successfully uses these strategies to present an argument to Washington about how immoral slavery is and why it should be abolished.
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