Rhetorical Analysis Of Frederick Douglass

In his, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Douglass experiences the songs of his brothers and expresses his understanding of this passage. Through his use of structured diction, Douglass reveals the eternal enslavement of his mind caused by the deterioration of his slave self, exposing his apprehension of the songs.

In Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Douglass explains, in great detail, how slave master would use a variety of methods to dehumanize slaves located on their plantation. These methods involved both severe physical and psychological trauma. Nevertheless, Douglass remains diligent and finds a way to resist the harsh reality of being a slave. Because of his immovable desire to acquire knowledge to his fighting encounter with Mr. Covey, these experiences help shape Douglass to be the archetype of what it means to go from slavery to freedom. This essay will highlight the physical and psychological tactics used on slaves. In addition, the aspect of how Douglass resists the

Frederick Douglass was a freed slave in the 1800’s who was famous for his ability to read and write, uncommon of a black man at the time. On July 4th, 1852, he gave a speech to citizens of the United States. In this speech, he called out the “hypocrisy of the nation”(Douglass), questioning the nation's treatment of slaves on a supposed day of independence. Frederick Douglass effectively uses rhetorical strategies to construct his argument and expose the hypocrisy of the nation.

After about nine chapters detailing his slave life, he says, “You have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man.” (Douglass, 75) He then goes on to describe the turning point for him that sparked his quest for freedom. By structuring his narrative this way, he reveals both sides- how slavery broke him “in body, soul, and spirit” (Douglass, 73) and how it eventually “rekindled the few expiring embers of freedom” within him (Douglass, 80). In doing so, he gives the reader an insight into how he became himself, and reinforces the evils of slavery in the way it shapes a man’s life. Douglass’ use of diction and structure effectively persuades the reader of the barbarity and inhumanity that comes as a result of slavery.

Frederick Douglass was a great author who used a variety of literary devices to contribute to his overall writing. One of his main literary elements that he uses is diction. What is diction? According to Merriam Webster’s dictionary diction is the way in which words are used in speech or writing. Douglass’ use of diction helps emphasize key point about slavery that writes about. Also, diction helps to convey the message that Douglass is writing about. Douglass uses diction is to describe the struggles and experiences of his life. Lastly, through his use of diction, Douglass was able to reveal what truly happened to slaves in the south, as well as the corruption of the slaveholders.

America’s history is overrun with oppression and injustice based on race, ethnicity, and other traits that innocent victims have no control over. As a result, the reputation of the United States is forever tainted by it’s dark past, and still practices these surviving habits of hatred. Civil liberty issues faced since the establishment of the country have yet to be resolved because of the ever-present mistreatment, corruption in positions of authority, and the dehumanization of minorities.

On July 4, 1852, former slave and American abolitionist, Frederick Douglass is invited to speak before an abolitionist audience in Rochester, New York. Although the speech should address the greatness and freedom of the nation on independence day, Frederick Douglass uses his platform to display his displeasure with the meaning of freedom in white America. Therefore, the sole purpose of his speech is to unmask the hypocrisy of a nation who dares celebrate freedom and independence while keeping African American slaves. To Douglass, the 4th of July is a constant reminder of the unfairness of the political and social core of the nation. As a social activist and most importantly a former slave, Frederick Douglass uses multiple rhetorical strategies to indict America on the immoral practice of slavery.

Jim Rohn had stated that “Learning is the beginning of wealth. Learning is the beginning of health. Learning is the beginning of spirituality. Searching and learning is where the miracle process all begins.” In the case of slaves, freedom gave access to wealth because it allowed them to own things. Freedom was a source of health because they would not be mistreated anymore, and it was a source of contentment to the slaves because it opened a whole new world where they didn’t have to listen to their masters. Freedom was also a miracle because people rarely have the opportunity to escape since they didn’t have education to aid them. Therefore, the beginning of freedom was education. For instance, Frederick Douglass had experienced the mistreatment, abuse, and limitations of a slave, but he has also felt the wealth, heath, and contentment of being free after he escaped using his knowledge that introduced him to freedom. As a result, Frederick Douglass decided used rhetoric and structure in the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave to explain and prove the connection between freedom and education.

Through the use of various anecdotes, Frederick Douglass illustrates the brutality suffered by the slave; the reader reacts emotionally to these incidents. For instance when Douglass talks about how the slaves are beaten and mistreated he discusses a slave who was shot since he refused to obey his master: ”and in an instant poor Demby was no more. His mangled body sank out of sight”(39). In this quote Douglass shows how mistreated the slaves were and makes the reader feel sad that a slave would be shot before given another chance to listen to his master. Also he makes us feel anger at the master that after an instant of disobeying the master's a slave would be killed and the body would be left to just sink down into the water. Similarly,

Abolitionist and freed slave, Frederick Douglass, recounts his life in his book, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, to argue that slavery is and will always be a harmful institution. White Christian Americans in the North were his primary target to persuade join the abolitionist movement. Within his books he details several different arguments against slavery. Specifically, chapter nine shows how slavery is innately unnatural and is corrupting everything around it.

Within this quotation, Douglass uses several examples of antithesis to illustrate the contrast between Mrs. Auld before she was given a slave, and after. For example, when he says, “made of all sweet accord, changed to one harsh and horrid discord;”, he emphasizes that when a person has a slave, they become more cruel and severe as a person. He also describes that his master had an “angelic face [that] gave place to that of a demon”. This antithetical example shows that owning a slave can change your morals, and if you perceived as a good person or not. He also includes this description of his new master because he is both trying to convince black and white people that slavery is harmful. In the first sentence, when Douglass includes “under

This primary source is an oration delivered by former slave Fredrick Douglass on July 5, 1852 in Rochester, N.Y. Fredrick Douglass, when “liberated” became an abolitionist, being a voice for those who could not speak. His background having been a slave significantly influences his viewpoint on the subject matter of freedom and liberty. His purpose in writing this speech was to “reveal the hypocrisy” that the United States was committing. Douglass was looking for a change in the country from being a country that proclaimed liberty and freedom to actually practicing liberty and freedom. The occasion was quite significant in that he gave the speech right after the annual Independence Day celebration. This enhances a substantial amount of pathos

In his biography, author Fredrick Douglass describes his struggle in society that was caused by being born a slave, and the cruel effects it had on him. Douglass develops his biography by using dramatic syntax to sharpen the effects of his story. Douglass’ purpose is to educate his readers on the struggles that he endured. He uses dramatic and sharp syntax to add depth to his biography.

Frederick Douglass tells his story of slavery and how he fought to become a free man in his book “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass”. In his narrative he uses many techniques to appeal to ethos, logos, and pathos. Using these techniques, he helps bring attention to the horrors of slavery and why there needs to be change. Even though his struggles were a few hundred years ago, some of the morals that are taught are still relevant.

Douglas conveys a message that slaves should be free. He gave the speech to the room of mainly white people. Douglas uses various rhetorical devices in his speech to persuade the audience. He uses the examples of the occupations of the slaves, and uses laws that are against slaves to prove his argument. Furthermore, he makes use of passionate diction to show his strong emotion about the subject.