Banneker Essay
Faith LaRock AP COMP October 21, 2014 Banneker
Banneker Essay Son of former slaves, Benjamin Banneker, in his letter to Thomas Jefferson, emphasizes the injustices of slavery. Banneker's purpose is to have Jefferson reflect on his life to contrast the rights he has to those slaves lack. He adopts an engaging and contemptuous tone to appeal to Jefferson's sympathy. Banneker uses irony and several other strategies to argue against slaves. Banneker begins his letter by asking Jefferson to reflect on the past. He reminisces to a time when "human aid appeared unavailable, and in which even hope and fortitude wore the aspect of inability" (Lines 6-8). Banneker wishes Jefferson would be able to understand his point of views by comparing his views to the personal past of Jefferson. Banneker pronounces how in the past, the colonists fought to receive rights from the British; contrasting, from how blacks do not receive rights and respect from the Founding Fathers and many Americans. Banneker reiterates words that Jefferson written in the declaration, "all men are created equal...they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" (Lines 22-25). Banneker appeals to Jefferson’s values of freedom by implying how all men share equality and should be treated the same, receiving similar rights; however, he is arguing for freedom and liberty of slaves. Banneker also emphasizes Jefferson’s values and words by saying on how he agrees with his opinion. Banneker also appeals to ethos by stating how he agrees with Jefferson in the fact that men should be equal and then re-introducing his argument on slave equalities. Another strategy Banneker uses is certain word choices, diction, to emphasize how men, slaves and women should be treated. Banneker repeatedly uses the words “liberty”, “freedom”, and “justice”, “free” and “equal” to prove how slaves should be treated, alongside whites. He
Banneker Essay Son of former slaves, Benjamin Banneker, in his letter to Thomas Jefferson, emphasizes the injustices of slavery. Banneker's purpose is to have Jefferson reflect on his life to contrast the rights he has to those slaves lack. He adopts an engaging and contemptuous tone to appeal to Jefferson's sympathy. Banneker uses irony and several other strategies to argue against slaves. Banneker begins his letter by asking Jefferson to reflect on the past. He reminisces to a time when "human aid appeared unavailable, and in which even hope and fortitude wore the aspect of inability" (Lines 6-8). Banneker wishes Jefferson would be able to understand his point of views by comparing his views to the personal past of Jefferson. Banneker pronounces how in the past, the colonists fought to receive rights from the British; contrasting, from how blacks do not receive rights and respect from the Founding Fathers and many Americans. Banneker reiterates words that Jefferson written in the declaration, "all men are created equal...they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" (Lines 22-25). Banneker appeals to Jefferson’s values of freedom by implying how all men share equality and should be treated the same, receiving similar rights; however, he is arguing for freedom and liberty of slaves. Banneker also emphasizes Jefferson’s values and words by saying on how he agrees with his opinion. Banneker also appeals to ethos by stating how he agrees with Jefferson in the fact that men should be equal and then re-introducing his argument on slave equalities. Another strategy Banneker uses is certain word choices, diction, to emphasize how men, slaves and women should be treated. Banneker repeatedly uses the words “liberty”, “freedom”, and “justice”, “free” and “equal” to prove how slaves should be treated, alongside whites. He