What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July by Douglass - Article Example

The paper "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July by Douglass" is a delightful example of an article on social science.
Who was Frederick Douglass and where did he come from? Fredric Douglas was an American man, social reformer, and writer. He was a slave, born in Talbot County, Maryland around 1818. His exact birth year and date are not particularly clear. He was also a revolutionist leader and went on to become one of the most famous intellectuals of his time. His writings are autobiographies that describe his experiences with slavery.

Discuss Douglas’s use of verbal irony in his introduction?
He talks of exercising his limited powers of speech. It is ironic since he is famous for his powerful and inspiring speeches. He is a famous and recognized speech giver, and therefore the issue of limited powers of speech is ironic. He also talks of little experience in addressing the public, which is not true.

Identify several passages where Douglas’s appeals to values he assumes the audience shares with him. What values associated with the fight for independence does he use to argue for the abolition of slavery?
In the fourth paragraph, he talks of the valve of being and truthful. He talks of this value being the direction giver to the destiny of the nation as it should to the whole of humanity. A man should be just to each other the same way the country should be just to its people. In the seventh paragraph, he also talks about the value of sovereignty. Just as, the forefathers who fought for independence wanted to be free and sovereign, the slaves wanted the same. The slaves, just like the forefathers pronounce their disgust for oppression. All the slaves want just like the people who fought for independence is their freedom.

In what ways does Douglass draw upon the principles stated in the declaration of independence to validate his argument?
The principle of equality, borrowed by Douglas to illustrate how people feel when the government unjustly treats them, illustrates the slaves’ feelings. In this case, the slaves feel harshly and justly treated by the masters. They are treated with sovereign indifference, coldness, and scorn. Oppression makes wise men mad, as Douglass states. If not, they become resistive to their treatment. The man just wants to be independent just as the principle of independence in the declaration of independence.

Douglass admits feeling anger towards some members of his audience. How does he express his anger? Is his anger justified? How would you feel if you were sitting in this audience?
While giving his speech, Douglas says that some of his audience does not uphold the virtues of their fathers. He says he admires the actions of the brave men who fought for independence. However, the same values they fought to defend are not upheld. He is justified, as this is true. Slaves are treated the same way the Americans were treated when under a colony. If I was sitting in the audience, I would feel challenged.

 In your own words, what is the thesis of Douglass's speech?
Douglass's speech intends to invoke emotions that would compel people into denouncing slavery. Moreover, the speeches intend to encourage the slaves into embracing a sense of freedom. Read More