ipl-logo

Rhetorical Analysis Of Benjamin Banneker Letter

148 Words1 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: American slavery 1600s

The speaker, Benjamin Banneker, in his letter, describes the situation of the slaves and argues why he opposes it. Banneker’s purpose is to argue that slaves need their natural rights and liberties just like any other human because they are equal. During that time in the 1790’s there were many rural and urban slaves working in plantations and farms as field labors, maids, etc. They didn’t have any fair treatment or were paid, instead they were treated like animals without liberties. He adopts a disturbed tone in order to describe the horrendous treatment the slaves received to prove and discuss that to Jefferson. Banneker was tired of slavery and wanted to help his people, the enslaved blacks, that’s why he wrote that letter to Jefferson in
Show More
Related
222 Words | 1 Pages

Benjamin Banneker earnestly attempts to persuade Thomas Jefferson, former slave owner, the wrongness of slavery by using his sense of morality and reasoning against him. Banneker brings to light Jefferson’s views and to set the foundation to take his argument further. He refers to the Revolutionary War in line 2, "...arms and tyranny of the British Crown..." and explains the British Crown and indirectly refers to their ruling of the colonies. The word he most significantly used was ‘tyranny’ which sums up the rule of the British Crown in the colonists eyes. He uses the Revolutionary War and its impact on the colonies to further deepen the argument on his next point, without this clarification what he said next wouldn't have made any

Read More
780 Words | 4 Pages

His father was an enslaved West African from Guinea and his mother was the child of a female European indentured servant and an enslaved African who gained his freedom before she was born.” Mr. Banneker was a self- educated mathematician, astronomer, ran his family’s farm, and a writer among other things. He is mostly known for creating a wooden clock that ran every hour for over forty years, helping survey our nation’s capital, his widely read almanacs, and his letters to Thomas Jefferson. 4. For what audience was the document written?

Read More
391 Words | 2 Pages

In 1791, Benjamin Banneker wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson attempting to show him the wrongs the United States are dealing with slavery. Banneker uses his high intellect to use descriptive language, he uses allusions to speak about biblical quotes, and historical events and other rhetorical devices to combat the problems with slavery. Banneker’s advanced knowledge at the time allowed him to use descriptive language to emphasize the subpar fairness to African-Americas at the time. Banneker notes that slavery is “apprehensions of the horrors of its condition,” stating that African Americans had a much more unpleasant experience than others in this time period. He also references the “groaning captivity and cruel oppression,” Banneker coveys

Read More
379 Words | 2 Pages

In his letter to Thomas Jefferson, it is apparent that Banneker uses a precise rhetoric in an attempt to pinpoint his argument so that it may have a greater effect on the reader. Written in 1791, the resonance of the American Revolution could still be felt in a fresh and young America, in which Banneker takes advantage of, using ideas and messages from the Declaration of Independence. Banneker’s style is quite humble yet adamant, offering a solid debate on the morality of slavery. His use of definitive diction exemplifies his letter, creating a sense of importance and urgency to the audience whilst maintaining a polite tone.

Read More
457 Words | 2 Pages

In 1791, a son of former slaves by the name of Benjamin Banneker, wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson about his belief and standpoint on slavery with major rhetorical responses backing his standpoint up. Banneker starts off his letter and continues throughout it by stating “sir.” He does this knowingly as it is a sign of respect and the fact Jefferson has more authority than him, as Jefferson was the Secretary of State at the time under President George Washington, and hoping to have Jefferson and other high and powerful men consider his point of view. Predating back to the early 1700’s, slaves were merely legal property in the United States, meaning the slaves had no rights. Free black men and women had no rights either.

Read More
954 Words | 4 Pages

As Banneker addresses Thomas Jefferson, he compels him to realize the effect slavery had on slaves. He is concerned slaves are promised “inalienable rights” that are being stripped away from them. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence and stated these rights diligently.

Read More
616 Words | 3 Pages

Benjamin Banneker, in his letter to Thomas Jefferson, offers a series of arguments against the institution of slavery through a respectful tone, references to history, and the Bible. As a son of former slaves, Banneker is seeking justice for the black population and uses Jefferson’s own words against him as he speaks on behalf of “Black America.” He shares his opinions with Jefferson, who is higher authority, in a respectful manner while still managing to criticize him. Banneker starts off his letter to Jefferson by calling his “Sir.” He refers to Jefferson this way because he wants to be respectful to this man who exists as a higher authority as a politician.

Read More
649 Words | 3 Pages

In a letter written to Thomas Jefferson, shortly after the finalization of the constitution, Banneker wrote to unravel the paradox of Jefferson’s writing, in his lack of acknowledgement to Afro-American slavery. By manipulating diction, syntax, and pleas to Jefferson’s heart, Banneker adopted a respectful yet critical tone in order to help Jefferson discover it for himself. At the start of the letter, Banneker retells the story of American Revolution. Banneker speaks about the “tyranny of the British Crown” in its efforts to “reduce [the

Read More
697 Words | 3 Pages

He uses parallelism to make him sound very nice and calm. Furthermore, he says, “sir’ in the beginning of every paragraph. Banneker wants make Thomas Jefferson think his letter isn’t a straight argument about slavery. Banneker is just trying to inform him about slavery, not to argue heavily on it. Banneker saying “sir” makes Jefferson believe that even though he is being told his sins Banneker still has some respect for Jefferson.

Read More
229 Words | 1 Pages

The quote also appeals to Jefferson’s emotions because Banneker makes him feel guilty about slavery. Jefferson

Read More
927 Words | 4 Pages

Banneker talks about how Jefferson and people like him (white) have “miraculous and providential preservations” and how Banneker and his people “suffer” and “variety of dangers”. Jefferson and his people fought for freedom and got it and were now able to be how ever they want, while the slaves have to deal with the same treatment as before. By pointing this out he shows how Jefferson is being no better than those he fought against. Therefore for everything they fought for to be true to the core, they must put an end to slaveholding. Banneker uses irony again in his use of grotesque language to show the injustice of slavery.

Read More
651 Words | 3 Pages

The letter was understandably harsh and severe, but Banneker does this in such a humble manner, that his opinion on slavery can not be argued by Jefferson. Jefferson absolutely has to accept what Banneker is saying because of how he portrayed, and wrote his letter. Banneker starts the letter off with referring to Jefferson as ‘Sir’, and does this in every paragraph to solidify and ensure that he is being polite while still getting his point across. This was to make Jefferson believe what Banneker was saying, to show Jefferson that he does have respect towards him and that he is taking this letter seriously so Jefferson should too. Banneker does this to help Jefferson believe that Banneker knows what he is talking about, that he is credible, so he can fix his moral dilemma, and help him make the choice toward ending

Read More
925 Words | 4 Pages

Though slavery persisted in the colonies, there were a number of free Black men, such as Benjamin Banneker. Born to a mixed mother and African father, Banneker was allotted the gift of freedom from infancy and allowed an education from his parents. He became one of the first well-known intellectual Black men of the colonies, and took advantage of his intellect and station in order to speak out against the injustices of slavery in a letter to Thomas Jefferson. Written in 1791, his letter is several pages long and urges Jefferson to fight for the emancipation of the slaves in America.

Read More
546 Words | 3 Pages

In 1791, Benjamin Banneker wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson making a series of arguments against slavery. Since Banneker is “son of former slaves” he addresses Jefferson, a slave owner, as “Sir.” Banneker uses a calm, polite manner that also has critical tone throughout the letter, he doesn’t push views about slavery on Jefferson, he instead uses multiple different points on why it should be discarded. Firstly, Banneker uses allusions to implement his successful work as a writer to support his reasoning against slavery.

Read More
470 Words | 2 Pages

By doing so, Banneker aligns with Jefferson’s own struggles to be free. Banneker also alludes to the Declaration of Independence. “…That all men are created equal…among

Read More

More about Rhetorical Analysis Of Benjamin Banneker Letter

Related Topics

Open Document