ipl-logo

What To The American Slave Is Your 4th Of July By Frederick Douglass

437 Words2 Pages

In the speech “What to the American Slave is Your 4th of July” by Frederick Douglass, the idea of “us vs. them” is frequently displayed in Douglass’s choice of diction to disassociate the slaves from the celebrations of the white people on Independence Day . “What have I to do with your national independence?” inquired Douglass of the white bodies in his crowd. By specifying the 4th of July as being [theirs], Douglass emphasizes that the holiday is for white people and not the slaves. A division is therefore drawn between the black slaves and the white community on this day. Douglass asserts that natural rights, “justice, liberty, prosperity, and independence,” are ones “shared by you, not by me.” He uses the words “you” and “me” to draw the …show more content…

Douglass exclaims, “above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions, whose chains, heavy and grievous yesterday are today rendered more intolerable by the jubilant shouts that reach them.” This excerpt of Douglass’s speech displays the deception hidden in America’s 4th of July. While free whites may celebrate and rejoice their freedom, the slaves are reminded of their own imprisonment. Douglass wanted to get his audience to question whether Independence Day could still be Independence Day if not every man in America was free. “To [the slave] [the white American’s] celebration is a sham.” The celebration of the 4th of July was a “sham” to the blacks because they were not as fortunate as the white Americans to have been “torn from [their] chains of servitude.” Douglass sought to bring attention to the inequality still suffered by the black slaves in America in comparison to the freedom experienced by the white citizens. “The conscience of the nation must be roused,” proclaimed Douglass as a final effort to spark social change in

Show More
Related

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Harvey Fourth Of July

    424 Words  | 2 Pages

    In July of 1852, Frederick Douglass prepares a speech known as The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro. Douglass was a former slave of the 19th century and soon became a leader during the Abolitionist Movement. In his speech, he argues that the Fourth of July is the darkest as well as most mournful day for slaves. Douglass then establishes his argument with distinct rhetorical strategies to make the audience feel the sorrow of which slaves felt. Through the use of allusion, sarcasm, and emotional appeal, Douglass reaches out to the listener to request a change in slavery.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of What To The Slave Is The 4th Of July

    273 Words  | 2 Pages

    Former slave, Frederick Douglass, in his speech, “What to the Slave is the 4th of July” demonizes slavery. Douglass’s purpose is to convince the audience that slavery is bad. Since Douglass was a former slave, his listeners would put the idea to mind more. He adopts a humble tone, at first, in order to establish confidence in his listeners. Douglass develops ethos in his speech by introducing to his listeners that he was a former slave, and that he is just a normal person.

    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

  • 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

  • The Fourth Of July Rhetorical Analysis

    1025 Words  | 5 Pages

    Many 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.

    Read More

  • Similarities And Differences Of Martin Luther King Jr And Frederick Douglass

    873 Words  | 4 Pages

    Although 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.

    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

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July

    319 Words  | 2 Pages

    An American Slave, Frederick Douglass, in his speech, “What To The Slave Is The 4th Of July?”, denigrates the Fourth of July and what it’s meaning is and what it represents. Douglass’s purpose is to show his audience the meaning of Fourth of July to slaves. He adopts a pressing tone in order to show what slaves think and feel about the Fourth of July in his speech to the President, friends and the people of the US. Douglass throughout his speech lionizes the impact that Fourth of July has on slaves. According to his speech he says, “Attend the auction;see men examined like horses;see forms of women rudely and brutally exposed to the hocking gaze of American slave-buyers.

    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 Devices In The Fourth Of July

    1056 Words  | 5 Pages

    When 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.

    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 What To The American Slave Is Your 4th Of July By Frederick Douglass

Open Document