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Use Of Rhetorical Devices In Frederick Douglass

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Alayna Poston L. DiCiaula AP English 25 February 2023 Frederick Douglass Essay Frederick Douglass was a prominent figure in the abolitionist movement, and both his works, “What is your Fourth of July to Me?” and his autobiography The Narrative of Frederick Douglass demonstrate this idea. This essay will compare these two works, analyzing the use of rhetorical devices and the themes of freedom, hope, and perseverance. In his work, Douglass uses rhetorical devices to emphasize the hypocrisy of American freedom. For example, Douglass’ repetitive use of questions, “Fellow-Citizens, pardon me, allow me to ask, why am I called upon to speak here to-day? What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? Are the …show more content…

And am I, therefore, called upon to bring our humble offering to the national altar, and to confess the benefits and express devout gratitude for the blessings resulting from your independence to us?” (Douglass 1). This device forces the audience to consider his words and reflect on their beliefs. Additionally, Douglass’ use of irony serves to further emphasize the gap between American ideals and the reality of slavery. Through his words, he communicates that while the nation celebrates its freedom, those who are in bondage cannot share in the same joy. This same sediment is seen in the Narrative of Frederick Douglass, in which Douglass paints pictures of the harsh realities of slavery in America: “I must have perished with cold, but that, the coldest nights, I used to steal a bag which was used for carrying corn to the mill. I would crawl into this bag, and there …show more content…

Throughout his book Douglass implies that his narrative was inspired by God: “From my earliest recollection, I date the entertainment of a deep conviction that slavery would not always be able to hold me within its foul embrace; and in the darkest hours of my career in slavery, this living word of faith and spirit of hope departed not from me, but remained like ministering angels to cheer me through the gloom. This good spirit was from God, and to him I offer thanksgiving and praise.” (Douglass 19). According to Douglass, he was motivated by the belief that God sent him faith and hope that he would be removed from slavery. Moreover, in his speech he also speaks upon his faith as he compares it to Americas flawed ideals. “What then, remains to be argued? It is that slavery is not divine; that God did not establish it; that our doctors of divinity are mistaken? There is blasphemy in that though, that which is inhumane cannot be divine! Who can research such a proposition?” (Douglass 3). Using this quote, and the rest of page three, Douglass establishes that arguing that slavery is inhumane is insignificant compared to arguing about how Americans put the blame on God. Overall, throughout his works it has been settled Douglass is strongly spoken and willing to fight for what he knows to be

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Douglass claims that America will forever be oblivious to all of the hardships and struggles and burdens slaves have endured for the past hundred years. Since he feels so strongly about slaves getting the justice they so rightly deserve, Douglass warns the audience that even if his language is not right, nothing he says will be untrue. He wants the audience to be able to easily realize how slavery really is the sin of America. Frederick Douglass addresses the hypocrisy of American Slavery in his Independence Day Address, and he uses specific rhetorical devices to get to the heart of his audience. Frederick Douglass states that “America reigns without a rival.

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He questions his audience of the significance of Independence Day to slaves, and he answers it in an extremely contrasting way: “your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; … your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery,” that the celebration is “a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages.” Douglass dismisses the national pride, characterizing it as a mere expression of people’s ignorance. The antithesis, with “greatness” being “vanity,” “sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless,” and “shouts of liberty and equality” being “hollow mockery,” provokes shock and anger from the audience, who have just been part of it and are now degraded as “savages.” However, Douglass was not trying to be inflammatory but provocative, witnessing the pathetic enthusiasm in the anniversary, that people feel exuberant about themselves while ignoring the saddening

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Douglass establishes his credibility and authority on the issue of slavery and inequality in the United States by drawing on his own experience and expertise. He begins the speech by introducing himself as a former slave and expressing his sadness and disappointment at the Fourth of July festivities which celebrate the nation’s independence while ignoring the ongoing oppression of African Americans. He says, “I am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us.” By acknowledging his own identity as a former slave, Douglass gives himself immediate credibility on the issue of slavery and inequality.

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He declares, “to forget them [the slaves], to pass lightly over their wrongs and to chime in with the popular theme would be treason most scandalous and shocking, and would make me a reproach before God and the world,” (para. 5). He discusses that slavery is unjust, and says that celebrating freedom with slavery would be treason. This helps the audience realize that celebrating freedom in their country is not a peccadillo, and they naturally will try to right the wrong because of their moral instincts by stopping their celebration. He also says, “to him your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mock; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are to him mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy - a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages,” (para. 15). In this quote, Douglass says that celebrating liberty is covering up a crime: slavery.

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“With them, justice, liberty and humanity were “final”; not slavery and oppression.” This relates to the hardships and the fact that the people don’t recognize how terrible it is. And that these meanings of these “free” words mean something else to him and other slaves. He shows that the changes are hard but once they are made everything will be peaceful. Rhetorical features and strategies are Douglass’ forte’ in engaging with the audience.

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