Rhetoric: The Declaration’s of Marxism

The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson between June 11th and 28th of 1776. This document was created to demonstrate a new concept of government, resonating the thirteen colonies’ reasons for separating from England and declaring war. Moreover, to dissolve the political relationship that America had with England’s laws. This document’s rhetoric was directed at King George the third. Jefferson constructs a philosophical statement that carries the peoples voice and appeals to his readers through fundamental beliefs. Lewis Masquerier adopted this philosophical statement in his document, Declaration of Independence of the Producing from the Non-Producing Class in 1844. The underling theme is almost the same, equality for men and the right to liberate one-self from oppression. However, Masquerier’s declaration has many similarities but at the same time many differences, such as the topic of social reform instead of political. Masquerier notices the importance of the original document 68 years later creating a historical difference in tone, style, and rhetoric. Non-the less, both documents utilize langue to influence the audience and call for a social reform established by concepts of Marxism using rhetoric.

Jefferson and Masquerier’s declaration both start with a philosophical statement; this statement is the first sentence within both rhetoric documents. Each philosophical statement delivers the point and the calls for a new social reform by declaring what to do when oppressed. Jefferson’s document starts, “When in the course of human events” (3), laying down the foundation of humanity as the topic and laying down the groundwork for his argument. In addition, by stating, “human events” the reader is persuaded...

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... format allows his and Masquerier’s rhetoric to have an impact to the audience. The styles of both documents are designed for an emotional response meant to impress with unusual word choice, and careful composition. The philosophical statement allows both narrators to deliver their fundamental beliefs, utilizing ethos, and appealing to the audience. By using rhetoric strategies Jefferson and Masquerier were allowed to implement ethos, pathos, and logos to sway the readers. Masquerier concepts of social reform based on the principals of equality with rhetoric. Moreover, being an advocate for the workingman allowed Masquerier to obtain the attention of many during the industrial age. This allowed him to expand on the concepts of rich oppressing the poor. However, none of this would have been possible without Jefferson’s format of his The Declaration of Independence.