Thomas Jefferson Declaration Of Independence Analysis
Thomas Jefferson, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America, was the lead writer of The Declaration of Independence. This critical letter, adopted on July 4, 1776, was written to King George III of England, in a didactic tone, addressing the independence of the 13 colonies from their mother country England. Throughout Jefferson’s declaration, the use of persuasive appeals and figurative language shows his critical attitude of the King’s treatment of his overseas colonies. Jefferson begins his letter towards the king with a preamble to introduce the idea of independence in which he uses ethos, pathos, and logos to appeal towards his audience. For example, he uses pathos with an erudite tone when he describes that men with
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Jefferson uses a critical tone when he repeats “he has” as Jefferson criticises the King’s acts having to do with the colonies. The purpose of this parallelism is to create flow in the writing and demonstrate how the government has been unjust with its dealings with the overseas territories. The common phrase of “taxation without representation” stirred up much anger in the colonists and was a main cause of the dissolution of the union and was alluded to when Jefferson argues that the king imposed “taxes… without consent.” He uses logos, and an irritated tone, to emphasize the issues between the two parties. Pathos is used with a desperate tone when Jefferson overstates that the British has “ravaged our coasts” to appeal emotionally towards the king. Once again, Jefferson uses allusion when he accuses the crown of sending over “large armies of foreign mercenaries” to fight the colonists. He is alluding to the Hessians, german soldiers, coming to America to fight Britain’s war for them. Finally, Jefferson uses a metaphor when he compares the way Britain has acted with the “most barbarous ages” and unlike world empire. The purpose of this comparison is to discourage the king in acting in an uncivilized manner because he was just called out on
Jefferson uses a critical tone when he repeats “he has” as Jefferson criticises the King’s acts having to do with the colonies. The purpose of this parallelism is to create flow in the writing and demonstrate how the government has been unjust with its dealings with the overseas territories. The common phrase of “taxation without representation” stirred up much anger in the colonists and was a main cause of the dissolution of the union and was alluded to when Jefferson argues that the king imposed “taxes… without consent.” He uses logos, and an irritated tone, to emphasize the issues between the two parties. Pathos is used with a desperate tone when Jefferson overstates that the British has “ravaged our coasts” to appeal emotionally towards the king. Once again, Jefferson uses allusion when he accuses the crown of sending over “large armies of foreign mercenaries” to fight the colonists. He is alluding to the Hessians, german soldiers, coming to America to fight Britain’s war for them. Finally, Jefferson uses a metaphor when he compares the way Britain has acted with the “most barbarous ages” and unlike world empire. The purpose of this comparison is to discourage the king in acting in an uncivilized manner because he was just called out on