Rhetorical Analysis Of Benjamin Banneker Letter To Jefferson

Benjamin Banneker was an independent man who was fighting to change the view of slaves that the american people had adopted. Many people believed slaves to have little intelligence, and to not have the same morals and emotions as the free white man. Benjamin, despite being the son of slaves, went on to become a farmer, an astronomer, a mathematician, a surveyor, and an author. In 1791 he sent a letter to Thomas Jefferson in an attempt to sway his support of slavery.Within his letter addressing Jefferson, Banneker effectively communicates his argument by exposing Jefferson’s contradictory ideas, using emotional appeals, and confronting Jefferson in a critical yet respectful tone.

Throughout the essay, Banneker uses a tone that is differential

and respectful of Jefferson due to his position of authority and leadership. Banneker begins by addressing as “Sir,” in order to establish a reverent tone towards Jefferson. Banneker then proceeds to begin every paragraph in addressing Jefferson as “Sir,” in order to constantly remind Jefferson of his humble stance. Banneker knows that Jefferson will not take his letter seriously if the letter simply attacks Jefferson; therefore, he is extremely cautious to establish a meek tone and avoid an ad hominem argument. This strategy is extremely effective because it uses a fine lined balance of criticism and flattery in order to portray his ideas in a sensible manner that Jefferson could take seriously and consider.  Banneker reveals Jeffersons contradictory stances on slavery in an attempt to make Jefferson rethink his current stance. At the beginning of the letter, Banneker reminds Jefferson of his “peculiar blessing of Heaven,” that released us from slavery from the British taxes and oppression. This was showing that Jefferson believed that being in a position of slavery was unbecoming under any circumstance. Banneker then accuses Jefferson of criminal acts in the third paragraph when he accuses Jefferson of “detaining… a part of my brethren under groaning captivity and cruel oppression.” When this stark change in ideals is exposed, it reveals the hypocritical ways of Jefferson. Calling out Jefferson on his hypocrisy effectively puts him in a position where he feels forced to not only consider Banneker’s proposals, but to acknowledge them as well.
Banneker uses many emotional appeals in order to invoke a sense of sympathy in the reader. He asks Jefferson to look at the parallel between the British oppression of the colonies and the white oppression of blacks that they now face because of slavery. Through this allusion to a time of oppression for Americans, Banneker creates a feeling of sympathy for his enslaved people. He believes that Jefferson and other white men that support slavery should understand the injustice of oppression due to their history with the British. Banneker also invokes a feeling guilt by stating that Jefferson “cannot but acknowledge the present freedom and tranquility which you enjoy,” now that America has been freed from the “arms of tyranny of the British crown.” The causes the reader to feel a sense of guilt, because the African Americans continued to remain enslaved and oppressed, despite Americans being freed from British oppression long before.