Alfred M Green Speech Rhetorical Devices

The Civil War was one of the most pivotal moments of American history. On a large scale, the Union army fought to reunite themselves with the Confederacy. On a smaller scale, at the beginning of the war, African Americans saw this as a possible way to permanently escape bondage. The abolition movement eventually pushed to the forefront of the Union agenda with the emancipation proclamation of 1863, as African Americans were at long last beginning to get their rights. One abolitionist, Alfred M. Green, called his fellow African Americans to action at the start of the war. Green persuades his fellow African Americans to join the Union forces by reflecting on how strong they are as a group, and inspiring hope.

By using the ideal of fighting for their future, Alfred Green persuades the others like him that they should join the army. He gives the audience a brief introduction in order to get them focused and trusting before giving his argument. He argues, “ It is true, the brave deeds of our fathers, sworn and subscribed to by the immortal Washington... have failed to bring us into recognition as citizens,” (9-14.) After hearing Alfred Green’s argument, the audience is thoughtful about their duty to serve in the military as they see the white troops in the Union fighting for their freedom and feel obligated to help finally change the their future from their past. By using the word “failed” Green evokes pride in the audience. They are prideful because they are hopeful that they can succeed in making them equal, allowing them to be hopeful that fighting in the army will grant them to be equals to their partners. Thus, Alfred Green uses pride in fighting for their future to persuade the audience to join Union forces. Later, Green reminds the audience of their goal for life in America as African Americans. He acknowledged, “Remember, too, that your very presence among the

First, Green uses a robust yet genuinely charged tone to kindle the audience. For instance, he uses the quote, "My country, right or wrong, I love thee still" to revive the hearts of the audience. His attitude in the use of the particular phrase, "right or wrong" seems to signify the fact that despite all the trouble the African Americans have been through, it is the principle of true patriotism to fight for their country. This, therefore, creates a softhearted and merciful

Green begins his speech by acknowledging the civil war and its relation to our country’s history. He states “history of the Great Republic when we may have given evidence to the world of bravery and patriotism of a race…”. (expand) With the use of metaphor, implying the comparison between world, and bravery and patriotism. Green appeals to his audience sense of patriotism, arousing some of their desire to fight for their country. For we are a country of brave and patriotic people. Another, he declares that the Republic’s “hearts burns the love of country of freedom, and of civil and religious toleration.” Green

Finally, we see political figures that used their power of persuasion to get votes. They were commoners of a higher caliber that use both sides of the spectrum to further their cause. All this came at a time of great turmoil, as the civil war is still going on and many great changes have come to America. Not only is there a mass influx due to the Irish trying to better themselves but also President Lincoln has freed the slaves and black people can no longer be considered property. Not only were they no longer servants but they were also allowed to serve in the military. The link between military service and full citizenship and inclusion is one that has had powerful resonance in our own time. The end of “Don’t ask, Don’t Tell” and the full participation of gays and lesbians in our armed forces represent, as Lincoln described the Emancipation Proclamation itself, a profound “act of justice,” a carrying forward in our time of the ideals that he and his words inspired. (Walsh, 2013)

There is much symbolism used in the story. The protagonist’s grandfather is a symbol in himself. As an elder, his grandfather symbolizes wisdom and knowledge. His dying words being “Life is a war and I have been a traitor all my born days, a spy in my enemy’s country ever since I gave up my gun back in the reconstruction”. In that exert, the war is racial discrimination vs the desire to live the American dream. The enemy is the white man and his country is America. He refers to himself as a traitor because of the parts of himself and his pride he had to sacrifice to “overcome ‘em with yeses, Undermine ‘em with grins.”. His grandfather was expressing to his family that in order to make it in the white man’s world they would have to live by their terms and conditions, but with an agenda of their own. To have to last laugh by being successful when the smoke clears.

Coupled with promises of freedom and the desire to contribute to a worthy endeavor, countless Negroes volunteered to enlist in the military based on presumable personal benefits, while some were forced or sold by their owners. More than one hundred thousand blacks, including Colonel Tye, one

He attempts to squander the idea that every aspect regarding the troops were pleasant and agreeable. The system was not free from prejudice and discrimination. Minorities in the military was unpleasant, several black soldiers were killed or wounded for trying to integrate army facilities. “Others received dishonorable discharges for resisting discrimination.” Racist white MPs beat up black soldiers and white girls caught together. Jim crow was a part of the dominant military culture. Gay men in military were frowned upon during the war, according to Adams this is an understatement. Men who were caught and found guilty of homosexual acts received dishonorable discharges, which stopped them from getting veterans’ benefits and career advancement in Civilian Society. Sometimes those who were caught received heavy prison sentences or put in stockades where MPs often abused them. The pursuit to punish homosexuals wasted time and resources. The chapter features the events on the on the impact of America in World war II and the treatment of blacks, Indians, minority groups, women, and homosexuals in the military. He claims there are many myths surrounding World War II. Even Though, the achievement of the American War Machine was remarkable it was not the only factor in allied victory.  He dispels the idea that this era was a “golden era,” and does

John Lewis summarizes his thoughts on how the Congress is asking them to be patient, something that is almost impossible. Why will it be impossible? express that his group and himself will not stop and they will keep protesting until they get the rights they deserve.Lewis clearly shows his ambition of continuing the revolution by announcing ¨ We will not stop. All of the forces of Eastland, Barnett, Wallace, and Thurmond will not stop this revolution.¨ ( para 9 ). The main point of Lewis's statement is that even when the congress wants the revolution to stop and even when people don't believe in them, John Lewis and his supporters will not eradicate the revolution.The significance of the evidence is that it displays how powerful Lewis´ emotions are toward

At the beginning of the speech, Green tries to introduce the idea of “true patriotism” which gives a positive tone about America, regardless of its current situation. He then shifts to a more serious tone where he states facts about America's past. Green mentions times in history where African Americans were not treated fairly or didn't receive the recognition they deserved. The final shift of tones in Greens speech is to a tone of hope for the future. For the rest of the speech, Green focuses on the subject of persuading African Americans to join the Union. He tries to convince them that with their help, America's future will be

With the coming of World War II, African Americans were arguably elevated to a higher standing in society due to the total war effort. But what part would Presidential and Military action take in this advancement since their duty is to protect their citizens? And would the efforts from these offices triumph over the racial prejudice that ruled American society, and most importantly, would their legacy last for an improved quality of life for a good portion of the US population. With these questions in mind, Executive Orders No. 8802 and 9981 as well as President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s call for increased admission of African Americans in the Armed Forces alone did not create change in social perception of Black US citizens, at times highlighting barriers to social equality, but did sow the roots for economic opportunity and in turn gave

If a man came up and start spewing out dreary words like painful death, unconceivable fear, or any other words associated with war, isn’t is easy to believe that Green’s audience would not be convinced to fight? Green recognized this, and so he created an excited, patriotic tone in the speech. He mentions the “bravery and patriotism of a race” and other choice words like freedom, justice and honor; all words to put a flame in young men’s hearts. Due to these inspiring words, the audience was more likely to be motivated and easily persuaded. When Green chose these words, he knew they would put the men in a patriotic mindset, and they would be more so excited to join the

Thomas Jefferson uses Rhetorical features to write the effective argument in “The Declaration of Independence” by using diction and repetition. Thomas Jefferson states, “For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world; for imposing taxes without consent; for depriving us, in many cases of benefits of trial by jury; for transporting us beyond the seas, to be tried for pretended offenses.¨ Thomas Jefferson uses diction by using powerful and meaningful words to persuade the people. He uses ¨imposing¨ which means striking, the king is striking the people with taxes. Thomas Jefferson also uses ¨depriving¨, he uses this word because it means denying. Thomas Jefferson uses this word because the king is denying it people and he wants to point

In doc 1, we see that an African American newspaper writer writes an article on the war. The newspaper seems to be a newspaper for blacks so the writer targets black readers as well. In the article, the writer talks about how hard times are and how they’ve never been in a situation like the Spanish American War. He states that allowing African Americans to the join the military to fight this war is the key to this wars success. He supports blacks joining the military and also tries to encourage blacks to not be afraid and join. It’s believed that having them join can end the racial hate between the whites and the blacks therefore, overseas expansion would result in positivity. Joining together as forces can help unite all in this war to end all wars. They thought that maybe after the war the United States would accept every color and not discriminate any longer.

The poet then presents a scene of patriotic relevance as he describes a scene of a regiment marching into battle with their “flag” and “Eagle with crest of red and gold” (17-18). When people think of flags, they think of patriotism and representing their country. Eagles also symbolize freedom but as readers can witness in the work, the poet makes it seem as if these men were created not to enjoy the gift of life for one moment by him saying “These men were born to drill and die” (19). This comes across to the reader as almost inhumane. Then by illustrating an image of a field of thousands of dead corpses makes any reader wonder why people even go to war. The whole fourth stanza paints a picture of living human being going into a battle with most, if not any, making it out alive. Like stated before, the speaker in the poem builds a case for those people that opposed to war even though the title of the poem might