What to the Slave Is the 4th of July Ananlysis
Rhetorical Analysis of Frederick Douglas
Frederick Douglas in his speech, “What to the Slaves, Is the Fourth of July?”,
eloquently establishes the hypocrisies prevalent in American society during the
1800’s. He was asked to give a speech at an anti-slavery meeting during a Fourth
of July celebration, and he took that opportunity to demoralize the institution of
slavery. He deemed it hypocritical for the anti-slavery constituents to ask him to
deliver such a speech. Considering he was, a black man and escaped slave it seemed
to Douglas a little oxymoronic to speak on this particular holiday. However, the
holiday created the perfect kairos for him to present his argument: why should
Black Americans, free or other wise, celebrate the Fourth of July? Douglas using
his knowledge of the audience to play on their already predisposed sympathies by
using a combination of ethos, pathos, and logos. The purpose of his speech was to
reinforce the ideals of why slaves should be set free.
Douglas found the occasion perfect to argue the on going debate about
slavery in America. Although karios is about that opportune moment and must
not be pre-composed it requires some prior knowledge of the topic. Douglas
acknowledges that he has been contemplating for some time the issue of slavery,
however, has never had the right opportunity to present his argument. Taking
advantage of kairos Douglas states, “The task before me is on which requires much
previous thought and study for its proper performance” (Douglas 230). Being
attuned to his kairos Douglas acknowledges the opposing arguments he faces, and
uses them to set up his major points. For example he proclaims:
But I fancy hear some of my audience say; it is just in this circumstance that
you and your brother abolitionist fail to make a favorable impression on the
public mind. Would you argue more, and denounce less, would you persuade
more, and rebuke less,
Frederick Douglas in his speech, “What to the Slaves, Is the Fourth of July?”,
eloquently establishes the hypocrisies prevalent in American society during the
1800’s. He was asked to give a speech at an anti-slavery meeting during a Fourth
of July celebration, and he took that opportunity to demoralize the institution of
slavery. He deemed it hypocritical for the anti-slavery constituents to ask him to
deliver such a speech. Considering he was, a black man and escaped slave it seemed
to Douglas a little oxymoronic to speak on this particular holiday. However, the
holiday created the perfect kairos for him to present his argument: why should
Black Americans, free or other wise, celebrate the Fourth of July? Douglas using
his knowledge of the audience to play on their already predisposed sympathies by
using a combination of ethos, pathos, and logos. The purpose of his speech was to
reinforce the ideals of why slaves should be set free.
Douglas found the occasion perfect to argue the on going debate about
slavery in America. Although karios is about that opportune moment and must
not be pre-composed it requires some prior knowledge of the topic. Douglas
acknowledges that he has been contemplating for some time the issue of slavery,
however, has never had the right opportunity to present his argument. Taking
advantage of kairos Douglas states, “The task before me is on which requires much
previous thought and study for its proper performance” (Douglas 230). Being
attuned to his kairos Douglas acknowledges the opposing arguments he faces, and
uses them to set up his major points. For example he proclaims:
But I fancy hear some of my audience say; it is just in this circumstance that
you and your brother abolitionist fail to make a favorable impression on the
public mind. Would you argue more, and denounce less, would you persuade
more, and rebuke less,