Rhetorical Devices In Alfred M Green Speech
AP TEXT ANALYSIS During the time of the 1800’s as Civil War in America had just broken out, many blacks were just being given some new found freedom. They were in full support of the
Union army, but were not allowed to join the forces yet. Speeches such as the one given by Alfred M. Green inspired African Americans to strive to be enlisted to the ranks of the Union army. The way that Alfred M. Green brings up all the struggles they have faced and the hope for the future is what really makes the speech inspirational.
Green does a beautiful job of highlighting the struggles that African Americans have endured, but he does not focus too much on the struggles but instead brings them to the future in a more positive time. Within the second paragraph of his speech, Green
relays the major issues of which they are fighting for, “...failed to bring us into recognition as citizens, enjoying those rights so dearly bought by those noble and patriotic sires” (Green). He does this so early on in the speech to spark the idea that they (the African Americans) must fight for their citizenship. Alfred M. Green then starts to divulge into the “injuries” that they have endured; injuries such as: “fugitive slave laws, Dred Scott decision, indictments for treason, and long and dreary months of imprisonment” (Green). He takes only a moment to remind blacks what they have endured, so they can fuel their anger and fight against the Confederates for their freedom. Following his statement, he suggests that if they become soldiers, they will win their freedom (Green).
The major reason why Alfred M. Green’s speech motivated tons of African
Americans to take action is because he never focused too much on the negative. The only way for the blacks to move forward is to only use their past struggles as inspiration for the future. Alfred M. Green states the main point of his speech when he says, “ Our duty, brethren, is not to cavil over past grievances. Let us not be derelict to duty in the time of need” (Green). He persuades them to hope for the future by creating a persistent and needy tone throughout the speech. He call each and every African
American to “inspire your oppressed brethren of the south” (Green). Another great way that Green persuades the blacks is by building up their nationalism. In the first paragraph he says phrases such as “great Republic”, “world of bravery and patriotism”, and “whose hearts burn for love of country, of freedom, and of civil and religious toleration” (Green). Green reminds African Americans what a free and brave country they live in which further inspires them to join the armed forces to fight for that idealized
country.
Union army, but were not allowed to join the forces yet. Speeches such as the one given by Alfred M. Green inspired African Americans to strive to be enlisted to the ranks of the Union army. The way that Alfred M. Green brings up all the struggles they have faced and the hope for the future is what really makes the speech inspirational.
Green does a beautiful job of highlighting the struggles that African Americans have endured, but he does not focus too much on the struggles but instead brings them to the future in a more positive time. Within the second paragraph of his speech, Green
relays the major issues of which they are fighting for, “...failed to bring us into recognition as citizens, enjoying those rights so dearly bought by those noble and patriotic sires” (Green). He does this so early on in the speech to spark the idea that they (the African Americans) must fight for their citizenship. Alfred M. Green then starts to divulge into the “injuries” that they have endured; injuries such as: “fugitive slave laws, Dred Scott decision, indictments for treason, and long and dreary months of imprisonment” (Green). He takes only a moment to remind blacks what they have endured, so they can fuel their anger and fight against the Confederates for their freedom. Following his statement, he suggests that if they become soldiers, they will win their freedom (Green).
The major reason why Alfred M. Green’s speech motivated tons of African
Americans to take action is because he never focused too much on the negative. The only way for the blacks to move forward is to only use their past struggles as inspiration for the future. Alfred M. Green states the main point of his speech when he says, “ Our duty, brethren, is not to cavil over past grievances. Let us not be derelict to duty in the time of need” (Green). He persuades them to hope for the future by creating a persistent and needy tone throughout the speech. He call each and every African
American to “inspire your oppressed brethren of the south” (Green). Another great way that Green persuades the blacks is by building up their nationalism. In the first paragraph he says phrases such as “great Republic”, “world of bravery and patriotism”, and “whose hearts burn for love of country, of freedom, and of civil and religious toleration” (Green). Green reminds African Americans what a free and brave country they live in which further inspires them to join the armed forces to fight for that idealized
country.