Vocabulary
A word that means to criticize harshly.
Denounce
Early in the text, Douglass says he wishes he could give this kind of speech.
An easy and delightful speech that is a patriotic celebration of American freedom
In Paragraph 5, Douglass asks, if he must argue to prove that slaves are men. He says he should not have to make this case because of an obvious truth. What is this obvious truth? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
The humanity of enslaved people is self-evident and already recognized, even in the laws that govern them.
"The manhood of the slave is conceded. It is admitted in the fact that Southern statute books are covered with enactments forbidding … the teaching of the slave to read or to write."
When Douglass asks, “What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July?” he is using this device to provoke reflection.
Rhetorical question.
This word describes someone who shows little to no emotion, even in stressful situations.
Stolid
In Paragraph 4, when Douglass says, "above your national, tumultuous joy, I hear the mournful wail of millions!" he is referring to this.
The millions of enslaved African Americans suffering under slavery
This is the claim Douglass argues throughout his speech. Use evidence to support your answer.
Slavey is the great sin and shame of America because it goes against American values.
"I will, in the name of humanity which is outraged, in the name of liberty which is fettered, in the name of the Constitution and the Bible, which are disregarded and trampled upon, dare to call into question and to denounce, with all the emphasis I can command, everything that serves to perpetuate slavery—the great sin and shame of America!"
When Douglass says "If I do forget, if I do not faithfully remember those bleeding children of sorrow this day, ‘may my right hand forget her cunning, and may my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth!’" he is using this rhetorical device.
In a debate, a person who refuses to concede any point, no matter how logical the opposing argument is, can be described as this word.
Obdurate
Douglass argues that Southern laws punishing enslaved people for disobedience and restricting their actions actually prove this about them.
That enslaved people are recognized as human beings capable of thought and responsibility.
What is Douglass's "So-What?" Statement? Why should his audience care about his argument? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
According to Douglass, slavery will unavoidably end and, when it does, the audience should be on the right side, on Gods side.
"There are forces in operation which must inevitably work the downfall of slavery. 'The arm of the Lord is not shortened,' and the doom of slavery is certain."
In the text, Douglass says, “ Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us?” (289). The purpose of this reference is _______.
The purpose of this reference is to remind people of the foundation that the United States was built on and the protection of natural rights that enslaved Americans are being excluded from.
Eduardo accepted the truth and logic of Rocky’s argument. This vocabulary word explains what Eduardo did.
Concede
In Paragraph 3 of his speech, Douglass tells his audience, “The Fourth of July is yours, not mine,” to highlight this central idea.
The contradiction between American ideals of freedom and the reality of slavery
At the end of his speech, Douglass expresses this hopeful belief about the future of the nation. Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
Slavery will eventually end because anti-slavery groups are working to abolish it.
"There are forces in operation which must inevitably work the downfall of slavery."
In paragraph 4 of his speech, Douglass states, "...your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are, to Him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy—a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages," (292). In this example, Douglass uses charged language in order to ______.
To point out that although many Christians follow religious tradition, God sees them as frauds for allowing slavery to continue. Pointing out the audience’s hypocrisy may have made the audience feel shame, guilt, and fear of being condemned.
Nevaeh's grades this year are different than they were last year. This vocabulary word can be used to describe the contrast between the two.
Disparity
Douglass criticizes the "conduct of this nation" in Paragraph 4, arguing that by allowing slavery, the United States is doing this.
Contradicting its own values and violating the principles of independence it celebrates.
Besides saying he shouldn't have to argue or convince anyone that slavery is evil, Douglass addresses this counterclaim. Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
The counterclaim that slavery was established by God.
"Is it that slavery is not divine; that God did not establish it; that our doctors of divinity are mistaken? There is blasphemy in the thought. That which is inhuman cannot be divine!"
On paragraphs 10-11, Douglass points out the situational irony of the Fourth of July celebration taking place on the day of his speech. These statements add to Douglass argument by ________.
These statements point out the difference between how Americans view the Fourth of July and what it really is to slaves. Douglass uses charge language to show how “they’re celebration is a sham,” proving how the Declaration of Independence does not apply to everyone.
“What, to the American slave, is your fourth of july? I answer a day that reveals to him, more than all other days of the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which his victim. To him your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy licence; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sound of rejoicing are empty and heartless."