Benjamin Banneker Letter To Thomas Jefferson Rhetorical Analysis
In Benjamin Banneker’s letter to Thomas Jefferson, he uses several rhetorical devices to get his message across that the institution of slavery is also a one of hypocrisy. He criticizes Thomas Jefferson for endorsing slavery but does so in a very respectful and formal manner.
“Sir” This is was starts every paragraph in the letter he writes. He does this to come across in a respectful manner while also giving the reader of the letter, Thomas Jefferson, a sense that the issue at hand is urgent. In the letter, Banneker alludes to the declaration of independence and Thomas Jefferson’s previous experiences. “You clearly saw into the injustice of a state of slavery” This is a perfect example of pathos. The "variety of dangers" the colonist faced …show more content…
That is what drives his argument. Banneker says to Thomas Jefferson, “that the present freedom and tranquility which you enjoy you have mercifully received and that it is the pecular blessing of Heaven.” By saying this statement, it purposely indirectly raises a question? Why would you leave me, my people behind? It is meant to praises what Jefferson has done for his people, but subliminally shame what he has yet to do for enslaved blacks. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Just not including the 757,208 black Americans. This is the logical fallacy that Benjamin Banneker disagrees with. From and logical standpoint, the endorsement of slavery contradicts what this nation is supposedly founded on. The whole point of the declaration of independence is to demand personal liberty from their oppressors. Banneker is trying to make the point that it does not make sense to deny the freedoms that allow you to pursue happiness. In lines 18 through 28 he calls out Jefferson on being a hypocrite. He says to Jefferson, “you should at the same time be found guilty of that most criminal act which you professedly detested in others with respect to
“Sir” This is was starts every paragraph in the letter he writes. He does this to come across in a respectful manner while also giving the reader of the letter, Thomas Jefferson, a sense that the issue at hand is urgent. In the letter, Banneker alludes to the declaration of independence and Thomas Jefferson’s previous experiences. “You clearly saw into the injustice of a state of slavery” This is a perfect example of pathos. The "variety of dangers" the colonist faced …show more content…
That is what drives his argument. Banneker says to Thomas Jefferson, “that the present freedom and tranquility which you enjoy you have mercifully received and that it is the pecular blessing of Heaven.” By saying this statement, it purposely indirectly raises a question? Why would you leave me, my people behind? It is meant to praises what Jefferson has done for his people, but subliminally shame what he has yet to do for enslaved blacks. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Just not including the 757,208 black Americans. This is the logical fallacy that Benjamin Banneker disagrees with. From and logical standpoint, the endorsement of slavery contradicts what this nation is supposedly founded on. The whole point of the declaration of independence is to demand personal liberty from their oppressors. Banneker is trying to make the point that it does not make sense to deny the freedoms that allow you to pursue happiness. In lines 18 through 28 he calls out Jefferson on being a hypocrite. He says to Jefferson, “you should at the same time be found guilty of that most criminal act which you professedly detested in others with respect to