Fredrick Douglas: “The Hypocrisy of American Slavery” Former slave and advocate, Fredrick Douglas, in his famous speech, “The Hypocrisy of American Slavery communicates his thoughts and opinions on the celebrations of the 4th of July in the year of 1852. Douglas’ purpose is to convey to American slave owners that despite the 4th of July symbolizing freedom, many African Americans miss the chance to celebrate as they are trapped in the bounds of slavery. The theme of freedom and equality adequately appeals to the to the audience’s emotions through Douglas use of imagery and rhetorical questions.
Douglas’s speech communicates an overall message of freedom and equality. His speech strongly addresses freedom as he communicates to American …show more content…
Throughout his speech, Douglas asks American slave owners rhetorical questions in order to provoke their thoughts and discourage their celebrations. Douglas questions, “Must I undertake to prove that a slave is a man?” His usage of such questions allow the audience to not only think about what he is asking, but understand the value in his words. Douglas questions allow the audience to reflect on the way in which they treat fellow slaves. As a former slave, Douglas is giving insight as to what current slaves are feeling, experiencing, hoping, and fearing as they go about their lives in the most treacherous of ways. Douglas reiterates this to the audience as he specifically refers to pain in which African American slaves endure through imagery. Douglas articulates, “I hear the mournful wails of millions, whose chains heavy and grievous yesterday.” Douglas use of imagery not only gives insight on the mental and physical pain they bear, but also instill a sense of guilt. Within America, millions of families are celebrating a day in which they established true liberty. They laugh and smile, and worry of the most trivial of things. However, millions of slaves have lost hope. Smiling is nearly impossible. Pain outweighs the hope, and their family possibly an eternity away. Douglas is signifying to the audience that true freedom comes from love and acceptance. Without these
Douglas’s speech communicates an overall message of freedom and equality. His speech strongly addresses freedom as he communicates to American …show more content…
Throughout his speech, Douglas asks American slave owners rhetorical questions in order to provoke their thoughts and discourage their celebrations. Douglas questions, “Must I undertake to prove that a slave is a man?” His usage of such questions allow the audience to not only think about what he is asking, but understand the value in his words. Douglas questions allow the audience to reflect on the way in which they treat fellow slaves. As a former slave, Douglas is giving insight as to what current slaves are feeling, experiencing, hoping, and fearing as they go about their lives in the most treacherous of ways. Douglas reiterates this to the audience as he specifically refers to pain in which African American slaves endure through imagery. Douglas articulates, “I hear the mournful wails of millions, whose chains heavy and grievous yesterday.” Douglas use of imagery not only gives insight on the mental and physical pain they bear, but also instill a sense of guilt. Within America, millions of families are celebrating a day in which they established true liberty. They laugh and smile, and worry of the most trivial of things. However, millions of slaves have lost hope. Smiling is nearly impossible. Pain outweighs the hope, and their family possibly an eternity away. Douglas is signifying to the audience that true freedom comes from love and acceptance. Without these