Maria W Stewart Rhetorical Analysis

African-American writer and educator Maria W. Stewart emphasizes her position in her lecture on the social status of other African-Americans living in the United States. In the lecture, Stewart’s purpose is to advocate heartily for the civil rights and liberties of African-Americans. During her lecture, she addresses fellow African-Americans as her intended audience. She adopts a candid and assertive tone in order to encourage others to support the civil liberties of those neglected in society. For Stewart to successfully convey her message, she uses the rhetorical appeal of pathos with the support of a variety of rhetorical devices. Stewart utilizes the rhetorical device of parallelism during her lecture to appeal the pathos rhetoric. In the end of line thirteen, Steward mentions, “washing windows, shaking carpets, brushing boots, or tending upon gentlemen’s tables.” The parallel sequencing of on-going verbs alludes to the constant work and servitude African-American people do in their day to day life in return of the ‘respect’ from white people. Consequently, this appeals to the emotions of the audience as it is a reminder of the vigorous labor endured every day …show more content…
Steward assertively addresses white Americans in lines seventeen through nineteen when she states, “I am a true born American; your blood flows in my veins, and your spirit fires my breast.” During the time she presented, 1832, there have been nationalistic remarks regarding African-Americans not being American. Through Stewart addressing them as an American, and telling them that she belongs appeals to the rhetoric pathos. Consequently, this supports her assertion that African-Americans are citizens and deserve the rights, liberties, and freedoms like every other American