Rhetorical Analysis Of Benjamin Banneker Letter

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According to the acclaimed author and theologian C.S. Lewis, “you can make anything by writing.” Similarly, Benjamin Banneker, a renowned intellectual and the son of a former slave, hoped his words would have the power to influence Thomas Jefferson. He aimed to help Jefferson realize his vision of making America a truly free country would only come to fruition by eliminating the enslavement of African Americans. Throughout the letter, Banneker effectively communicates the need of ending slavery to Jefferson through purposeful repetition, insightful reference, and his ability to shift his purpose in a skillful manner. Throughout the letter, Banneker intellectually uses repetition several times to underscore the need for the ending of slavery in America. In his argument, he repeatedly emphasizes the word “liberty” to show Jefferson’s understanding and belief in …show more content…
He shows how Jefferson built the basis of America on equality and liberty and then allowed slavery, which inherently goes against these qualities. By using long and graceful syntax, he gets his message across in a direct manner. After proving this flaw, Banneker tries to tell Jefferson he should be ashamed of himself and hyperbolically states that he should “be found guilty of that most criminal act which you professedly detested in others with respect to yourselves” (Banneker). Ultimately, he decides to end the letter with an excerpt from Job to force Jefferson to try to make him reconcile with his actions and gain empathy for the sufferings of the enslaved. Benjamin Banneker skillfully conveys his message of abolishing slavery through numerous strong rhetorical devices such as repetition, reference, and seamless flow while navigating through his argument. Jefferson uses repetition in a way to highlight the need to end slavery, especially when we draw a parallel with the principles the country was founded
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