Language And Diction In Thomas Jefferson's The Declaration Of Independence
The fervent appetite for freedom is a flame that is not easily extinguished. This passion is demonstrated in The Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson thoughtfully and carefully employs his language and diction in order to sway the reader to fight for their rights and justice.
In the introductory paragraph, Jefferson presents to the reader a troublesome situation where radical measures must to be taken. His thesis consists of the essentiality to declare a flaw when one is eminent and therefore the need to rectify it by disengagement. The speaker of the paragraph is imprecise, nevertheless assumes an omnipotent tone. This omnipotent, all knowing tone provides the declaration added significance and importance. This wise tone is characterized
by the liberty of the narrator to touch upon the meaning of action and freedom.
The writer chooses not to include any personal pronouns, active verbs or references to specific events within the first paragraph. This absence helps to generalize the situation and attractiveness to any reader. By doing this, Jefferson has a higher probability of attracting the support of his fellow Americans to fight for their own freedom.
Mr. Jefferson, in a masterful literary move, introduces the Declaration’s speaker in the second sentence as “we”. “We” is assumed to be the American people in voice, but this voice speaks by the people, for the people. This conveys a sense of human equality to the reader that is meant to invoke power. In truth, the fledgling Americans were anything but equal. However, when Jefferson utilizes “we,” the audience is able to relate to the speaker on an equivalent level, regardless of their actual social, racial, gender, or economic reality. Because of the inclusive nature of the pronoun, the reader is more likely to identify with the author and reciprocate a mindset of freedom. Jefferson is careful to incorporate another all knowing device, the “Creator.” With it, he states, “they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.” This treatment suggests the equality of all men and the God-given right of freedom.
Overall the Declaration of Independence has served its purpose. It was very delicately written as to persuade the reader, the American colonists, toward revolution and freedom. While some would argue that this paper is written for the purpose of declaring independence, it is meant to persuade and rally the American people to the cause of independence and liberty.
In the introductory paragraph, Jefferson presents to the reader a troublesome situation where radical measures must to be taken. His thesis consists of the essentiality to declare a flaw when one is eminent and therefore the need to rectify it by disengagement. The speaker of the paragraph is imprecise, nevertheless assumes an omnipotent tone. This omnipotent, all knowing tone provides the declaration added significance and importance. This wise tone is characterized
by the liberty of the narrator to touch upon the meaning of action and freedom.
The writer chooses not to include any personal pronouns, active verbs or references to specific events within the first paragraph. This absence helps to generalize the situation and attractiveness to any reader. By doing this, Jefferson has a higher probability of attracting the support of his fellow Americans to fight for their own freedom.
Mr. Jefferson, in a masterful literary move, introduces the Declaration’s speaker in the second sentence as “we”. “We” is assumed to be the American people in voice, but this voice speaks by the people, for the people. This conveys a sense of human equality to the reader that is meant to invoke power. In truth, the fledgling Americans were anything but equal. However, when Jefferson utilizes “we,” the audience is able to relate to the speaker on an equivalent level, regardless of their actual social, racial, gender, or economic reality. Because of the inclusive nature of the pronoun, the reader is more likely to identify with the author and reciprocate a mindset of freedom. Jefferson is careful to incorporate another all knowing device, the “Creator.” With it, he states, “they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.” This treatment suggests the equality of all men and the God-given right of freedom.
Overall the Declaration of Independence has served its purpose. It was very delicately written as to persuade the reader, the American colonists, toward revolution and freedom. While some would argue that this paper is written for the purpose of declaring independence, it is meant to persuade and rally the American people to the cause of independence and liberty.