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Rhetorical analysis from into the wild
Scholarly rhetorical analysis
Scholarly rhetorical analysis
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Through the tonal shifts impacted by the lofty diction in “Why Establish This Paper” in correlation with the strategic use of syntax, Cary stresses the necessity of establishing her newspaper as it provides the vital link between the fugitives to promote the antislavery cause. The philosophical tone created through the lofty diction demonstrates that the principles of the Constitution are in actuality unconstitutional in regards to society’s attitudes toward the forced labor system. Cary emphasizes that the inhumane treatment of slaves goes against the moral values of the nation as it takes away the necessities that all are inclined to. Consequently, this led to the mass movement of abolitionists, demanding that they “… [make] our voice heard at home” (Cary 1-2) in a place where …show more content…
oppression is present. The freedom that should have been unanimously given to the people, regardless of gender or race, was not as “Such freeman we never were before…” (Cary 19). Through this statement, Cary highlights the values that many have taken for granted as this dehumanizing act built the foundation of the American people’s sense of superiority over others. The shift to a more reflective tone as created by the lofty diction forces the audience to reflect on their values concerning the promotion of the antislavery cause.
Through words such as “plain” (Cary 15) and “concealed” (Cary 29), Cary draws on the audience’s beliefs of holding themselves on a higher platform and stresses that by doing so, the nation should feel ashamed that they are neglecting the existence of others. Essentially, the audience feels obligated in questioning whether the issue of slavery goes against the virtues of human nature because despite the Constitution stating that everyone is of equal standing, there are exceptions. The writer emphasizes how society views the abolitionists and fugitives in “cold contempt” (Cary 43) and draws a connection between their sense of arrogance and the effects it has on those who do not share the same beliefs. Furthermore, not a single newspaper was printed that “… represented the intelligence of colored Canadians…” (Cary 30-31) and taking advantage of this statement, Cary demonstrates that the antislavery cause should be promoted in order to destroy the preconceived ideas that those who are not white are deemed as lowly
beings. The author’s use of elongated and telegraphic sentences emphasizes her point of establishing the newspaper as a platform to link the fugitives and promote the abolition of slavery. She creates a sense of urgency by stressing that for their voice to be heard throughout the nation, the abolitionists and fugitives must “… need an organ, too…” (Cary 1-2). Despite the distinct differences between the two groups, they share a common goal: extending the principles of the abolition movement in order for every individual in the nation to have their entitled rights and privileges. Cary emphasizes her concerns for the fugitives due to their constant oppression and argues that “… we have a paper because we think we need one…” (Cary 55-56) to highlight the importance of promoting the antislavery cause. By doing so, the writer simultaneously unravels the harsh living conditions the slaves were subjected to and draws on the audience’s values to push for the publication of the newspaper. The principles of human nature are overshadowed by the people’s arrogance in demonstrating their sense of superiority over others. Through the shifts in tone along with the strategic use of syntax, Cary emphasizes the negative effects of slavery on the people as a whole and that by establishing the newspaper, the process of promoting the antislavery cause will gradually become a global concern.
To begin, Wigmore argues that there is an important relationship between slavery and the borders which allowed the slaves their freedom. Wigmore develops this idea by introducing his reader to personal case studies. He provides context by giving a historical as well as personal narratives of runaway slaves. He uses that narrative to than explore the historical laws and amendments that were created on the basis of slavery. In particular, Wigmore looks at two contradictory laws; the Upper Canada’s 1793 antislavery act which “forbade the introduction of new slaves into their respective jurisdictions” and the Jay Treaty of 1794 which “protected the private property of British subjects living in the region prior to the American takeover in 1796, and that such property included slaves.” Wigmore demonstrates through the use of personal stories how these two acts were contradictory and confusing for the habitants of both countries.
For this discussion we were asked to read “Before the Railroad: From Slavery to Freedom in the Canadian-American Borderland by Gregory Wigmore, as well as “Hands Across the Border: The Abortive Extradition of Solomon Moseby by David Murray. I found both of the articles very interesting as they both seemed to cover the time periods of the 1800’s and expressed how both American and Canadian legislators struggled with coming up with a working interpretation to their own complicated policies on slavery, as well as how these policies affected the relationship with their neighboring country.
Slavery’s Constitution by David Waldstreicher can be identified as a very important piece of political analytical literature as it was the first book to recognize slavery 's place at the heart of the U.S. Constitution. Waldstreicher successfully highlights a number of silences which most of the general public are unaware of, for example, the lack of the word “slavery” in the Constitution of the United States of America. Also, the overwhelming presence and lack of explicit mention of the debate of slavery during the construction of the document.
They argue that the accruing of property by figures such as Johnson meant that they literally did not think of themselves as living within a racist society, and that, despite the decline of this freedom, it is a mistake to consider their opinions as an “aberration” in a narrative of inevitable racial exploitation (Breen & Innes, 112). Rather, they claim that to understand such people as such an aberration inevitably leads to a situation in which the real equality of their freedom is
Despite each individual having different circumstances in which they experienced regarding the institution of slavery, both were inspired to take part in the abolitionist movement due to the injustices they witnessed. The result is two very compelling and diverse works that attack the institution of slavery and argue against the reasons the pro-slavery individuals use to justify the slavery
Although Thoreau and King both correspondingly address these topics of morality and justice throughout their essays, their essays are in no way similar in writing styles, tones, and/or goals. King speaks to his readers about the injustice that is being served to African Americans specifically. He uses an emotional appeal as he pleads his readers to take action to end segregation. This emotional appeal combined with his optimism for freedom sets him and his writing different from that of Thoreau’s. Thoreau’s essay on the other hand, is largely critical of the unfair American Government. Unlike King, Thoreau worriedly speaks to his readers in a distressed, aggravated tone as he reprimands them for following unjust laws. Thoreau’s essay is also different from King’s because he presents more than one goal. Not only does he describe the government’s unfair laws, but he also teaches his readers how and why to revolt, and tells them to bring an end to the ongoing M...
A human being is a complicated entity of a contradictory nature, where creative and destructive, virtuous and vicious are interwoven. Each of us has gone through various kinds of struggle at least once in a lifetime, ranging from everyday discrepancies to worldwide catastrophes. There are always different causes and reasons that trigger these struggles, however, there is common ground for them as well: people are different, even though it is a truism no one seems to be able to realize this statement from beyond the bounds of one’s self and reach out to approach the Other. The concept of the Other is dominant in Frederick Douglass’s text “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro”, for it determines the main conflict and illuminates the issue of intolerance and even blasphemy regarding the attitude of white Americans towards Negroes. The text was written as a speech to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence and delivered at Rochester’s Corinthian Hall on July 5, 1852.
Emancipation was a persistent issue in the twentieth century as was the problem of the color line. Many writers like DuBois argue that in both a conscious and sub conscious way the color line denotes limitations but also sets standards for African American people during this time. Through the use of the main characters and secondary characters as well as foreshadowing Chestnut in his book The Marrow of Tradition depicts the color line in Wilmington, North Carolina. The theory of the color-line refers fundamentally to the role of race and racism in history and civilization. Through the analysis of The Marrow of Tradition readers can recognize and understand the connection of race and class as both a type of supremacy and as an approach of confrontation on a domestic level during the twentieth century for African Americans.
In this story it clearly shows us what the courts really mean by freedom, equality, liberty, property and equal protection of the laws. The story traces the legal challenges that affected African Americans freedom. To justify slavery as the “the way things were” still begs to define what lied beneath slave owner’s abilities to look past the wounded eyes and beating hearts of the African Americans that were so brutally possessed.
To understand the desperation of wanting to obtain freedom at any cost, it is necessary to take a look into what the conditions and lives were like of slaves. It is no secret that African-American slaves received cruel and inhumane treatment. Although she wrote of the horrific afflictions experienced by slaves, Linda Brent said, “No pen can give adequate description of the all-pervading corruption produced by slavery." The life of a slave was never a satisfactory one, but it all depended on the plantation that one lived on and the mast...
In his speech, Frederick Douglass made it clear that he believed that the continued toleration and support of slavery from both a religious and legal standpoint was utterly absurd when considering the ideals and principles advocated by America’s forefathers. He began by praising the American framers of the Constitution, an...
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, brings to light many of the social injustices that colored men, women, and children all were forced to endure throughout the nineteenth century under Southern slavery laws. Douglass's life-story is presented in a way that creates a compelling argument against the justification of slavery. His argument is reinforced though a variety of anecdotes, many of which detailed strikingly bloody, horrific scenes and inhumane cruelty on the part of the slaveholders. Yet, while Douglas’s narrative describes in vivid detail his experiences of life as a slave, what Douglass intends for his readers to grasp after reading his narrative is something much more profound. Aside from all the physical burdens of slavery that he faced on a daily basis, it was the psychological effects that caused him the greatest amount of detriment during his twenty-year enslavement. In the same regard, Douglass is able to profess that it was not only the slaves who incurred the damaging effects of slavery, but also the slaveholders. Slavery, in essence, is a destructive force that collectively corrupts the minds of slaveholders and weakens slaves’ intellects.
Frederick Douglass’ landmark narrative describes the dehumanization of African-American slaves, while simultaneously humanizing them through his moving prose. Douglass shows the dehumanization of slaves through depictions of violence, deindividuation, and the broken justice system. However, Douglass’ pursuit of an education, moving rhetoric, and critique of his own masters demonstrates to the reader that African-Americans are just as intelligent as white people, thus proving their humanity.
For Edmund S. Morgan American slavery and American freedom go together hand in hand. Morgan argues that many historians seem to ignore writing about the early development of American freedom simply because it was shaped by the rise of slavery. It seems ironic that while one group of people is trying to break the mold and become liberated, that same group is making others confined and shattering their respectability. The aspects of liberty, race, and slavery are closely intertwined in the essay, 'Slavery and Freedom: The American Paradox.'
Knowles, H. J. (2007). The Constitution and Slavery: A Special Relationship. Slavery & Abolition, 28(3), 309-328. doi:10.1080/01440390701685514