Rhetorical Devices In The Narrative Of The Life Of Frederick Douglass

The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass was first published in 1845 in the city of Boston. Frederick appeals to human compassion throughout his narrative as he describes his personal encounters with slavery. From the Great House Farm to the bustling city of Baltimore, Frederick develops a mind of his own as he learns about his standing in the world. In chapter 6, Frederick claims that slavery detrimentally effects both slaves and their masters. Throughout the chapter Frederick used his experience with Sophia Auld and his journey to becoming illustrate to support his claim. At the beginning of Chapter 6, Frederick found himself in Baltimore under the jurisdiction of Mr. Hugh Auld and his wife Sophia Auld. Sophia was one of the most influential people in Frederick’s life since she was responsible for him receiving the gift of literacy. Frederick emphasizes her influence upon his life by using rhetorical devices such as hyperbole, antithesis, and parallel structure to describe her. He utilized hyperbole by stating that, “Her face was made of heavenly smiles, and her voice of tranquil music …show more content…
He used antithesis to compare the effects in such a way that all people could understand and relate. Parallel structure and hyperbole were utilized to show the before and after effects slavery has on slave holders. Foreshadowing was also used in order to show the future battle Frederick would have in his journey to escape the chains of slavery. Through the use of all these Frederick appeals to the compassion of the audience and helps to instill within them a hatred for slavery for the effect it has upon slaves and slave holders. The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass as a whole influences the audience to side with Frederick and wish that the institution of slavery be