“What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” is possibly one of the most well-known speeches of the 19th century; it was given by the extremely influential abolitionist, Frederick Douglass. Plato had a similar level of prestige in ancient Athenian society. He covers the major themes of power, evil, and virtue in Gorgias, comparable to topics in Douglass’ speech. Douglass and Plato deliver to different audiences, yet they still cover similar themes in the text. One particular subject in both is the dependence of good upon virtue. In Gorgias, Socrates claims that virtue stems from a “harmonious soul” and that order is the key to goodness. He states, “And virtue, whether of body or soul, of things or persons, is not attained by accident, but is
…show more content…
He states simply, “Justice is equality.” That is essentially the epitome of Frederick Douglass’ speech. Through his speech, Douglass directed his speech to not only his audience, but whites in general. For example, Douglass states, “It is the birthday of your National Independence, and of your political freedom.” He is proclaiming the exclusivity of freedom in America, and that the truth of definition of freedom and justice vary from person to person. This, in the most straightforward way, affirms Douglass’ central point: “Justice is …show more content…
He explains the hypocrisy of the Christianity, especially when it’s used to justify slavery. Douglass asks, “What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July?” He then continues, “I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim.” Socrates frequently denounces injustice. For example, he states, “There are three evils from which a man may suffer, and which affect him in estate, body, and soul; these are poverty, disease, injustice; and the foulest of these is injustice, the evil of the soul, because that brings the greatest hurt.” A major common theme between “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July” and Plato’s dialogues is the condemnation of evil. This is possibly the least controversial claim. Both agree that evil takes root in wrongful acts. Socrates claims that committing wrong is worse than inflicting suffering and that he would prefer to suffer rather than commit injustice. He states, “ I should not like either, but if I must choose between them, I would rather suffer than do.” Based on the speech, Douglass would agree that suffering can be induced by injustice, but that African Americans facing injustice as a whole is worse than the individual suffering of a single
He states simply, “Justice is equality.” That is essentially the epitome of Frederick Douglass’ speech. Through his speech, Douglass directed his speech to not only his audience, but whites in general. For example, Douglass states, “It is the birthday of your National Independence, and of your political freedom.” He is proclaiming the exclusivity of freedom in America, and that the truth of definition of freedom and justice vary from person to person. This, in the most straightforward way, affirms Douglass’ central point: “Justice is …show more content…
He explains the hypocrisy of the Christianity, especially when it’s used to justify slavery. Douglass asks, “What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July?” He then continues, “I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim.” Socrates frequently denounces injustice. For example, he states, “There are three evils from which a man may suffer, and which affect him in estate, body, and soul; these are poverty, disease, injustice; and the foulest of these is injustice, the evil of the soul, because that brings the greatest hurt.” A major common theme between “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July” and Plato’s dialogues is the condemnation of evil. This is possibly the least controversial claim. Both agree that evil takes root in wrongful acts. Socrates claims that committing wrong is worse than inflicting suffering and that he would prefer to suffer rather than commit injustice. He states, “ I should not like either, but if I must choose between them, I would rather suffer than do.” Based on the speech, Douglass would agree that suffering can be induced by injustice, but that African Americans facing injustice as a whole is worse than the individual suffering of a single