Frederick Douglass Rhetorical Analysis

Words: 815

Pages: 4

Open Document

Frederick Douglass was a fair man who wanted things to go the right way but being born into slavery it was hard for him to make an immediate impact. Here is a little background info on his life to see where he might have wanted to be an abolitionist. Frederick Douglass was born into slavery sometime around 1818 in Talbot County, Maryland. He became one of the most famous intellectuals of his time, advising presidents and lecturing to thousands on a range of causes, including women’s rights and Irish home rule. Among Douglass’ writings are several autobiographies eloquently describing his experiences in slavery and his life after the Civil War, including the well-known work Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. I believe Frederick Douglass was motivated to join the Abolitionist movement because he taught himself how to read and write which enabled him to understand what was going and that it was not right that he wanted …show more content…
His ability to speak was an another driving factor for him to join the abolitionist movement. After settling as a free man with his wife Anna in Bedford in 1838, Frederick Douglass was eventually asked to tell his story at abolitionist meetings, and he became a regular anti-slavery lecturer. Founder of The Liberator, William Lloyd Garrison, was impressed with Douglass’ strength and rhetorical skill, and wrote of him in his newspaper. Several days after the story ran, Douglass delivered his first speech at the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society's annual convention in Nantucket. Crowds were not always hospitable to Douglass. While participating in an 1843 lecture tour through the Midwest, Douglass was chased and beaten by an angry mob before being rescued by a local Quaker family. (Douglass 1845, 123)Though Douglass faced much opposition he continued to fight for what was right and is often revered for his heroic

Frederick Douglass Rhetorical Analysis

Moreover, Douglass has the biggest heart known to man and it is very evident through the narrative. As an audience member I could tell that the actions that was happening to the slaves really hit home to Douglass because it lived that everyday. He thought that once he was freed he would be able to escape and run far away but that wasn't that case at all. Slaves was still being raped and killed on a daily basis. The way that Douglass speaks about the events that happened it is easy to say that it…

Words 254 - Pages 2

Frederick Douglass Rhetorical Analysis

Frederick Douglass’s words are really strong in this text. He talks about what The 4th of July means to him and to his fellow brethren, who, for the most part, were slaves. Douglass goes on to talk about why he does not celebrate The 4th of July and the injustices done to the slaves. His feelings are so pronounced and the subjective perspective of his is really effective. Douglass starts off by saying how there is a “distance” between them and the ordinary American. The author says this: “The…

Words 375 - Pages 2

Rhetorical Analysis Frederick Douglass

One such emotional passage is Frederick Douglass’s recount on his feelings after escaping slavery and arriving in the free state of New York. Douglass uses specific language, such as figures of speech- namely metaphors and imagery- and syntax and word choice, as tools to convey his states of mind throughout the passage. Imagery and metaphor are used heavily throughout Douglass’s recount. In telling how he felt immediately upon his arrival at New York, Douglass says, “I suppose I felt as one…

Words 669 - Pages 3

Frederick Douglass Rhetorical Analysis

1) Fredrick Douglass spent a lot of his time talking about how everyone agreed slaves were human and that they were entitled to liberty. He did this because even though people said they agreed with these ideas their actions did not show it. During the fourth of July blacks had nothing to celebrate because most blacks still were not free; however, a black man and former slave was asked to speak about their nation independence. 2) The vivid imagery in Douglass’s speech makes the reader feel guilty…

Words 509 - Pages 3

Frederick Douglass Rhetorical Analysis

Frederick Douglass was a man who went through slavery, suffered, and still came out an emotionally and educationally intelligent man. He decided to use his experience and knowledge around slavery to bring a new perspective to the topic. In the Narrative of The Life of Frederick Douglass, Douglass tries to change our understanding of the claim, "all men are created equal," by showing us the truth about slavery as a system and a less-than-experience. Firstly, He shows us the brutality and abusiveness…

Words 401 - Pages 2

Frederick Douglass Rhetorical Analysis

Despite these exclamations of joy, a feeling of foreboding is present that should be heeded by those who have accomplished the same as Douglas. Indeed this premonition is well founded, being “fugitive[s] … in a strange land - a land” where they were “subjected to the… liability” that they could be “seized upon” by “legalized kidnappers - … [or] his fellowmen”(Douglas 19). With multiple hyphens used, Douglas makes further comparison of their fragile position in society. Greatly lengthening the sentence…

Words 287 - Pages 2

Frederick Douglass Rhetorical Analysis

Virginia. He showed no animosity toward the Confederate he had fought, rather he had respect. Frederick Douglass held a similar attitude in May 1878, an attitude filled with “charity toward all, and malice toward none.” Even in the continual face of rampant discrimination and white supremacism from leaders of the Democratic Party, Frederick Douglass fought for justice and equality. Frederick Douglass responded to Confederate sympathizers by acknowledging their treason and wrongdoings, but moving…

Words 528 - Pages 3

Frederick Douglass Rhetorical Analysis

Frederick Douglass is one of the most famous slave narratives, which was written in 1845. It’s an autobiography story of his life from the time he was born a slave till his escape to freedom in the north during 1838.Frederick is the most famous black American of his era because he managed to do a lot other than writing a book about slavery and for being an advisor to the presidents. He wasn't just a writer but also a public speaker, he gave public speech/lectures about his experience as a slave.…

Words 554 - Pages 3

Frederick Douglass Rhetorical Analysis

experiences, slavery and unfairness? In the Narrative of Frederick Douglass, Douglass talks about slavery and its cruelty. Douglass wants to change people's idea of "All men are created equal" by using his life during slavery and his life experiences. He uses strong and clear language to show what is going on in the narrative. By him using this language he paints a picture in your head about what he's talking about and what happens during his life. Douglass uses his life experiences and the slave life to…

Words 547 - Pages 3

Frederick Douglass Rhetorical Analysis

to slaves, rather than it dehumanizing them. However, Douglass wanted them to understand that slavery actually tortured slaves. Instead, they were forced to work in all kind of conditions for long hours without being shown sympathy. While Douglass worked for one of his owners, Mr. Covey, he was worked so much that he “was broken in body, soul, and spirit.” (Excerpt 4) Covey was known to break slaves, and succeeded in doing just that to Douglass. He felt his “intellect languished, the disposition to…

Words 302 - Pages 2