Frederick Douglass Rhetorical Analysis

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Slavery, a little-understood word to us, is not simply a physical possession but a total dominance of the mind and body. Published seven years after his daring escape in 1838, Frederick Douglass’s autobiography Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, delves into the complexities of slavery, denouncing the reprobate institution and laying bare its ineffable horrors in complete depiction. This account stands as a defiant response to his critics, presenting an authentic slave narrative that exposes the atrocities of slavery in its entirety. Through auditory imagery, the thematic exploration of education, and symbols, Douglass unveils the intrinsic injustice entrenched within slavery, the transformative power of learning in dismantling its oppressive foundation, and …show more content…
Douglass uses auditory imagery to illustrate the brutal nature of slavery. Working on the Great House Farm was considered an honor by the enslaved because the conditions were more humane. Douglass captures the haunting atmosphere during the trip to the Great House Farm, where the enslaved would reverberate their songs through the dense woods. Douglass writes, “I have sometimes thought that the mere hearing of those songs would do more to impress some minds with the horrible character of slavery, than the reading of whole volumes of philosophy on the subject could do” (Douglass 27). Here, Douglass contrasts the conventional connotations of music as an expression of joy and contentment with the subversive reality of enslaved people using songs to mask their underlying sorrow and despair. For them, the singing symbolically clarifies that they were happy; however, it was instead a method of drowning

Frederick Douglass Rhetorical Analysis

Moreover, Douglass has the biggest heart known to man and it is very evident through the narrative. As an audience member I could tell that the actions that was happening to the slaves really hit home to Douglass because it lived that everyday. He thought that once he was freed he would be able to escape and run far away but that wasn't that case at all. Slaves was still being raped and killed on a daily basis. The way that Douglass speaks about the events that happened it is easy to say that it…

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Frederick Douglass Rhetorical Analysis

Frederick Douglass’s words are really strong in this text. He talks about what The 4th of July means to him and to his fellow brethren, who, for the most part, were slaves. Douglass goes on to talk about why he does not celebrate The 4th of July and the injustices done to the slaves. His feelings are so pronounced and the subjective perspective of his is really effective. Douglass starts off by saying how there is a “distance” between them and the ordinary American. The author says this: “The…

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Frederick Douglass Rhetorical Analysis

back of our mind of wondering if our nation is truly celebrating for free or simply the idea of. That nagging feeling was the same felt by speaker Frederick Douglass, who was important to helping a post-Civil War society open their eyes and challenge the idea of what freedom truly meant to a nation built by and on the backs of immigrants. Frederick Douglass is considered to be one of the first advocates to propose passing Constitutional amendments that would permanently change the status of African…

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Rhetorical Analysis Frederick Douglass

One such emotional passage is Frederick Douglass’s recount on his feelings after escaping slavery and arriving in the free state of New York. Douglass uses specific language, such as figures of speech- namely metaphors and imagery- and syntax and word choice, as tools to convey his states of mind throughout the passage. Imagery and metaphor are used heavily throughout Douglass’s recount. In telling how he felt immediately upon his arrival at New York, Douglass says, “I suppose I felt as one…

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Frederick Douglass Rhetorical Analysis

1) Fredrick Douglass spent a lot of his time talking about how everyone agreed slaves were human and that they were entitled to liberty. He did this because even though people said they agreed with these ideas their actions did not show it. During the fourth of July blacks had nothing to celebrate because most blacks still were not free; however, a black man and former slave was asked to speak about their nation independence. 2) The vivid imagery in Douglass’s speech makes the reader feel guilty…

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Frederick Douglass Rhetorical Analysis

Frederick Douglass was a man who went through slavery, suffered, and still came out an emotionally and educationally intelligent man. He decided to use his experience and knowledge around slavery to bring a new perspective to the topic. In the Narrative of The Life of Frederick Douglass, Douglass tries to change our understanding of the claim, "all men are created equal," by showing us the truth about slavery as a system and a less-than-experience. Firstly, He shows us the brutality and abusiveness…

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Frederick Douglass: Rhetorical Analysis

aided me in writing comprehensive and rhetorical essays. I have learned how certain rhetorical questions may denote a key point that the author is trying to convey. For instance, in Frederick Douglass’s What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?, Douglass employs philosophical questions such as, “Pardon me, and allow me to ask, why am I called upon to speak here today?” and “What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national justice.” (Douglass 1). Douglass uses irony to underline that he is…

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Frederick Douglass Rhetorical Analysis

Despite these exclamations of joy, a feeling of foreboding is present that should be heeded by those who have accomplished the same as Douglas. Indeed this premonition is well founded, being “fugitive[s] … in a strange land - a land” where they were “subjected to the… liability” that they could be “seized upon” by “legalized kidnappers - … [or] his fellowmen”(Douglas 19). With multiple hyphens used, Douglas makes further comparison of their fragile position in society. Greatly lengthening the sentence…

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Frederick Douglass Rhetorical Analysis

Frederick Douglass was a fair man who wanted things to go the right way but being born into slavery it was hard for him to make an immediate impact. Here is a little background info on his life to see where he might have wanted to be an abolitionist. Frederick Douglass was born into slavery sometime around 1818 in Talbot County, Maryland. He became one of the most famous intellectuals of his time, advising presidents and lecturing to thousands on a range of causes, including women’s rights and Irish…

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Frederick Douglass Rhetorical Analysis

Virginia. He showed no animosity toward the Confederate he had fought, rather he had respect. Frederick Douglass held a similar attitude in May 1878, an attitude filled with “charity toward all, and malice toward none.” Even in the continual face of rampant discrimination and white supremacism from leaders of the Democratic Party, Frederick Douglass fought for justice and equality. Frederick Douglass responded to Confederate sympathizers by acknowledging their treason and wrongdoings, but moving…

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