Benjamin Banneker, a son of former slaves, writes a letter to Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. Within this letter, he diligently describes his argument against slavery. He writes to these two important men and informs them of what they have done. By using satire, repetition, tone and diction, Banneker is able to ridicule Washington and Jefferson on their decisions and experiences in order to strongly support his argument against slavery. Banneker writes a letter talking about why he disagrees with enslavement.With the use of satire, he begins to ridicule Washington and Jefferson on their past experiences. He explains a time when America suffered and tells them, “look back I entreat you on the variety of dangers to which you were exposed”
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He says this in order to push Washington and Jefferson into remembering the time when Britain's control led them to perturbation. Right after saying this, he writes, “you cannot but acknowledge that the present freedom and tranquility which you enjoy you have mercifully received and that it is the pecular blessing of Heaven” (11-14). With this statement, he scorns their freedom since it was so graciously given to them by the Heavens. He mocks them since they were at first fearful, frightened, and had no power yet freedom was not given to them as a result of hard work but rather simply handed to them. While on the other hand, slaves seemed to be fearful, scared, and afraid their whole lives; they worked so hard but freedom was not easily given to them and even with freedom, they were still not seen as equals. Banneker quotes the Declaration of Independence by saying, “all men are created equal” (22-23) and deprecates it by speaking about how Washington and Jefferson never adhered to these words. Banneker proves to them that not all men are equal by saying how his brethren are, “under groaning captivity and cruel oppression” (37-38) for committing a crime. Banneker then proves of their unjust ways when writing, “you should at the same time be found guilty of that most
He says this in order to push Washington and Jefferson into remembering the time when Britain's control led them to perturbation. Right after saying this, he writes, “you cannot but acknowledge that the present freedom and tranquility which you enjoy you have mercifully received and that it is the pecular blessing of Heaven” (11-14). With this statement, he scorns their freedom since it was so graciously given to them by the Heavens. He mocks them since they were at first fearful, frightened, and had no power yet freedom was not given to them as a result of hard work but rather simply handed to them. While on the other hand, slaves seemed to be fearful, scared, and afraid their whole lives; they worked so hard but freedom was not easily given to them and even with freedom, they were still not seen as equals. Banneker quotes the Declaration of Independence by saying, “all men are created equal” (22-23) and deprecates it by speaking about how Washington and Jefferson never adhered to these words. Banneker proves to them that not all men are equal by saying how his brethren are, “under groaning captivity and cruel oppression” (37-38) for committing a crime. Banneker then proves of their unjust ways when writing, “you should at the same time be found guilty of that most