Analysis of Frederick Dougalls Rhetoric Style

Analysis of Frederick Douglass 's Rhetorical Style

Introduction

Frederick Douglass was one of the most important figures in anti-slavery and civil rights movement which took place in the 19th century . The period of his social and political activity coincided with consolidation and creation of the nation and for this reason his liberal ideas had a great impact on formation of the nation . Unique rhetorical style helped Douglass to appeal to the audience and inspire it to fight against oppression and inequality . The rhetoric of Frederick Douglass is marked by unique vision

of reality and slavery . In his works , Frederick Douglass creates vivid images and underlines the importance of rebellion and fight in striving for better days free from : whipping , cutting my back (Douglass , Chapter X , 1997

Historical Background

Frederick Douglass was born a slave in 1818 , and raised by his grandparents . Historians suppose that Douglass ' grandmother , Betsy Bailey , was the central figure in his early years . She was a recognized leader in the black community and a tower of strength in holding together her family (Lampe , 1998 ,

.3 . At the beginning of the 19th century , it was prohibited to teach and educate black people but his grandmother and played a crucial role in his plantation education . During some years in Baltimore , Sophia Auld , a relative of his master , taught Douglass to read letters . Then , Douglass took lessons from white boys and purchased a copy of The Columbian Orator ' which became his textbook ' for many years . At twenty , Douglass escaped from his master and went to New Bedford , Massachusetts . No longer in the clutches of slavery , he was ready to take the next steps in his career as an orator , a preacher , and an abolitionist (Lampe , 1998 ,

. 26 . It was a watershed in his life

After the escape , Douglass started as active political activity taking part in anti-slavery and abolitionist meetings . He became a lecturer for the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society . He started publishing activity and published several newss including "New National Era "Frederick Douglass Weekly "The North Star "Frederick Douglass , etc . He made friends with Wendell Phillips and William Lloyd Garrison . During the Civil War , he was an adviser to President Abraham Lincoln

Douglass supported equal rights movement and fight for emancipation in England where he earned the nickname "The Black O 'Connell . After the Civil war , Douglass was selected the President of the Reconstruction-era Freedman 's Saving 's Bank Minister-General to the Republic of Haiti and marshal of the district of Columbia . `In 1862 Frederick Douglass described him as a "miserable tool of traitors and rebels " and "quite a genuine representative of American prejudice and negro hatred (Shenk 2002 ,

. 36 . During all his life , Frederick Douglass paid a special attention to oratory skills and rhythorics , and his oratory was soon so accomplished that audiences began to doubt his claimed slave origin and fugitive status (Schaub , 2000

. 86 . He appealed to emotions of slaves talking about ideas of independence , freedom and equal rights . In 1872 , Frederick...