In 1791, Benjamin Banneker, a self-educated African American scientist and mathematician, wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson, then the Secretary of State, to address the issue of slavery and racism in the United States. The letter, which was a response to Jefferson's own views on race and slavery as expressed in Notes on the State of Virginia, is a powerful example of rhetorical analysis and an impassioned plea for justice and equality.
One of the key rhetorical strategies that Banneker employs in his letter is the use of logic and reason. He presents a series of arguments and examples that challenge Jefferson's beliefs about the inherent inferiority of African Americans and the justification for their enslavement. For instance, Banneker points out that African Americans have the same physical and intellectual capabilities as white people, citing examples of successful and accomplished black individuals. He also points out the hypocrisy of the American Revolution, which was fought for the principles of liberty and equality, yet allowed for the continued enslavement of a significant portion of the population.
Another rhetorical strategy that Banneker employs is the use of emotional appeals. He appeals to the sense of compassion and humanity of his readers, urging them to consider the suffering and oppression that African Americans have endured. He writes, "Can it be supposed that those who so highly applaud the righteous deeds of their ancestors, and who so warmly espouse the cause of liberty, would degrade a part of their fellow-creatures from the rank of human beings, and contend for their enslavement?" By highlighting the moral inconsistencies of slavery and racism, Banneker hopes to inspire a sense of outrage and a desire for change among his readers.
Banneker also uses rhetorical questions, repetition, and parallelism to emphasize his points and to drive home the urgency of his message. For example, he repeatedly asks Jefferson and other white Americans to consider the "injustice and cruelty" of slavery and to "weigh the matter with candor and impartiality." By using rhetorical questions and parallel structures, Banneker creates a sense of momentum and a call to action, urging his readers to confront the difficult truths of their own history and to work towards a more just and equal society.
In conclusion, Benjamin Banneker's letter to Thomas Jefferson is a masterful example of rhetorical analysis. Through the use of logical arguments, emotional appeals, rhetorical questions, repetition, and parallelism, Banneker effectively challenges Jefferson's beliefs about race and slavery and calls for justice and equality. His letter remains an important and powerful statement on the issues of racism and slavery, and serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality in the United States and around the world.
Rhetorical Analysis Of Benjamin Banneker
Banneker effectively argues that not only is slavery contradictory of American ideals established in the past by Jefferson, but a violation of christian morals in his overall goal to persuade Thomas Jefferson that slaves should be freed through the use of rhetorical strategies that appeal to Jefferson 's ethics and morals in the letter Banneker wrote to him in 1791. With the letter being written with the sole audience of President Washington it has a respectful but critical to as to get his point across but not impolite while doing so. He fought hard to educate himself, and to establish himself as an intellectual human being, rather than an object for ownership. Therefore for everything they fought for to be true to the core, they must put an end to slaveholding. They both describe a tough yet heart breaking situation that makes them question their moral values and doubt the system and its ability to change for better. Banneker uses several rhetorical techniques including tone, allusion, diction, ethos, pathos, and counterargument to make his position of the given subject clear and to make Mr. Thomas Jefferson moreover wanted that flexibility for African Americans would be taken after by colonization arrange to migrate them exterior of the joined together.
Rhetorical Analysis Of Benjamin Banneker's Letter To Thomas...
Benjamin Banneker's letter to Thomas Jefferson explains that he has committed this crime. However, at times, because his audience isn't merely citizens of the country but also executives of the steel companies, the line between pathos and logos is subtle, for he appeals to the emotions general American public through the use of verifiable data. Furthermore, the use of repetition also highlights the shift from the tone of being concerned and respectful to sarcastic, as if saying that Jefferson has a higher position in society but is not using it to the best of his ability. In order to convey to Jefferson in an effective matter, Banneker utilizes a demanding tone and an appeal to emotion to enhance his argument. As young man of parents who were both treated unfairly and living under the gates of …show more content… The purpose of the quote above was used to restate that all people are created equally.
Benjamin Banneker writes to Thomas Jefferson, urging justice for African Americans
During 1813, Madison is addressing a nation divided in a time calling for unity and harmony. His thoughtful reference to a point in time that Jefferson lived through alludes to the similarity of history to the current situation. Banneker expresses this by using rhetorical strategies; repetition, irony, and pathos. He points out that Jefferson in a way enforces the treatments he tried to escape onto the slaves, or allows slaveholders to. This was heavily shown in line 24, a time in which the Arms and tyranny of the British Crown were exerted with every powerful effort to reduce you to the State of Servitude. Benjamin, despite being the son of slaves, went on to become a farmer, an astronomer, a mathematician, a surveyor, and an author.
Rhetorical Analysis of Benjamin Banneker's Letter Essay Example
For example in line 92 Kennedy talks about the Department of Defense. The institution of slavery has been regarded as a period of injustice, discrimination, and oppression. Lincoln had hope that the country would turn around. In 1791 he sent a letter to Thomas Jefferson in an attempt to sway his support of Rhetorical Annalysis of Benjamin Banneker's Letter to Thomas Jefferson In 1791 Benjamin Banneker, the son of former slaves, astronomer, and almanac author, wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson, in a courteous but forceful manner, challenging the framer of the Declaration of Independence and secretary of state on the topics of race and freedom. He uses imagery, flashbacks, and characterization to persuade the reader of the true nature of slavery. Although slavery is still practiced in numerous countries, America has successfully abolished slavery. .
