What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July a Rhetorical Analysis

In his speech, What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?, Frederick Douglass passionately argues that to the slave, and even to the freed African American, the Fourth of July is no more than a mockery of the grossest kind. Douglas uses many rhetorical strategies to convey his powerful emotions on the subject, and the end result is a very effectively argued point. Douglass begins by asking a series of rhetorical questions, not without the use of sarcasm. He refers to that Declaration of Independence, instead of the Declaration of Independence, to stress the separation between his people and those who are not oppressed. In the next paragraph, he continues to ask rhetorical questions. The purpose of all these questions is to give†¦show more content†¦He almost rubs it in their faces: that their proclaimed aspirations have not been tended to with the proper amount of effort and attention, and that all that has been put forth up to that point has failed miserably. The abov e quotation is comparable to saying start trying or go home. The fact that he speaks so harshly to this particular audience only shows how passionately he feels for his own people. Back to the first page, Douglass makes a reference to the Bible. He applies his own situation to that of the one described by the quote. He is the one who can not forget about his people. He can not express joy, when his people express their pains. His argument is proved multiple times with the simple logic presented in his speech. It can be summed up with this: (1) This holiday is to rejoice for the sake of freedom and liberty. (2) My people have no freedom, have no liberty. (3) You rejoice. (4) My people mourn. (5) This holiday is a mockery to us. The reference to the mockery of it all is made over and over again, and with such a simply logical statement, one can not possibly argue its validity. Douglass moves on to speak of the wrongs committed by America, and how they have piled sky-hi gh to the point of no return. He states that any just man who is not prejudice shall see that his words are of truth. He speaks of the Constitution, he speaks of the Bible, and he speaks of God. With such credited references backing up his argument, it wouldShow MoreRelatedThe Life Of Frederick Douglass Context1479 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Behind Frederick Douglass context, Douglass was a former slave who became one of the most successful abolitionist of the 19th century. With his oratorical appeals, in 1852, Douglass delivered a speech that changed the views of millions over the Fourth of July. 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