Analysis Of The Atlanta Exposition Address By Booker T. Washington

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Delivered in the year 1895, the Atlanta Exposition Address by Booker T Washington calls for the emancipation of blacks from slavery. The address also includes the discussion of possible obstacles or challenges that the black Americans may face in the path towards establishing their right as equal members of the white American society.Thus, his address ultimately calls for unity and cooperation between blacks and whites in order to generate a successful socio-economic force within their society.Washington is able to accomplish the goal of his proposal by using analogy, a formal diction, and a passionate tone.
Booker T Washington's use of analogy helps to successful deliver his point during his Atlanta Exposition Address. The most well known line of this speech is his famous “Cast down your bucket” reference. This analogy compares the search for water to the search for labor in the United States. The story begins with …show more content…

Partly his diction could be contributed to the fact that his audience was filled with formal people, but I also believe that it was for a higher purpose. Through his choice of diction, he was able to portray his race as something that was truly appealing. He used words like “patient, faithful, law-abiding, and unresentful” to describe his people. All these words contradicted the typical image that African Americans were usually related to things that consisted of evil and darkness. Washington continues in his call for the Southern whites help stating “you shall have patience at all times the patient, sympathetic help of my race…” Washington could not have possibly been clearer in calling for help. This quote stressed the notion of importance and urgency and this message couldn’t have came across correctly without his choice of diction. The diction used in this piece greatly helps to further progress his points and give more meaning behind his