Historical Context
True or False? Frederick Douglass was born a free man.
What is FALSE; he was born into slavery in Maryland.
This literary term refers to a question that is asked without expecting an answer but to make a declared point. For example, "Do you really want to wear that outfit?"
What is a RHETORICAL QUESTION?
This word (adj.) means resistant to persuasion.
"Who so ___________ and dead to the claims of gratitude that would not thankfully acknowledge such priceless benefits?" (paragraph 2)
What is OBDURATE?
What major documents/texts does Douglass use to defend his argument that slavery is an immoral practice that calls into question the "independence day" celebration?
What are THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, THE CONSTITUTION, and THE BIBLE?
How does Douglass specifically answer the question ‘What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July?'
In paragraph 11, he calls the celebration a "sham" as well as a "hollow mockery" to the slaves that remain enslaved in America.
To whom was Frederick Douglass speaking? (His audience)
What is the ROCHESTER (NY) LADIES' ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY?
This term refers to the repetition of words or phrases that have similar grammatical structure; for example: "I WILL NOT equivocate; I WILL NOT excuse..."
What is PARALLELISM?
This word (adj.) means feeling little or no emotion.
"Who so _______ and selfish that would not give his voice to swell the hallelujahs of a nation's jubilee..." (paragraph 2)
What is STOLID?
Fill in the blank: "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 ___________ and cruelty to which he is the constant victim."
What is INJUSTICE?
How does Douglass use religion, especially the Bible, as a part of his argument?
He cites from the book of ISAIAH twice, where he rescues those who call on him. He also cites from PSALM 137 to express his grief and sorrow.
The name of the President of the United States elected in 1860?
Who is ABRAHAM LINCOLN?
This term describes a figurative comparison between two unlike things is made to show likeness between them; for example, "She is like a lion, how brave!"
What is a METAPHOR?
This term (v.) refers to a harsh criticism of an idea or policy.
"... [I] dare to call into question and to ___________, with all the emphasis I can command, everything that serves to perpetuate slavery - the great sin and shame of America!" (paragraph 4)
What is DENOUNCE?
In this passage, who are the people that Douglass "represents" when he says the following:
"What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence?" (paragraph 1)
Who are THE ENSLAVED?
What major idea does Douglass end his argument with and, "in conclusion", leave his audience thinking about?
He states he does not despair of the country, and that the 'doom of slavery' is certain through God's intervention - therefore, he has hope and cheer.
Embedded in the title of the speech, what holiday has just been celebrated the day before the speech was delivered?
What is FOURTH OF JULY?
What device is being used most frequently in the passage from the speech?
"For it is not light that is needed, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, the earthquake."
What is METAPHOR?
This term (n.) refers to things that have great difference or inequality when compared.
"I say it with a sad sense of _____________ between us. I am not included within the pale of the glorious anniversary!" (paragraph 3)
What is DISPARITY?
In the passage, what is a synonym for the word 'servitude'?
"... when the chains of servitude has been torn from his limbs?" (paragraph 2)
What is SLAVERY?
What words does Douglass use to indicate to us how he feels about the Fourth of July?
He uses words of emotion like 'scorching irony', 'withering sarcasm', 'swelling vanity', 'hypocrisy' in paragraphs 10 and 11.
What is the term for a person who works towards removing (abolishing) a practice or institution, such as slavery?
What is ABOLITIONIST?
What device is being used most frequently in the passage below?
"Fellow citizens, pardon me, allow me to ask, why am I called upon to speak here today? What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence?"
What is RHETORICAL QUESTIONS?
This term (v.) refers to what is admitted; an admission.
"Must I undertake to prove that the slave is a man? That point is _____________ already. Nobody doubts it." (paragraph 5)
What is CONCEDED?
What words are missing from the passage below:
"The sunlight that brought light and healing to you, has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth of July is _______, not ________."
What is YOURS and MINE?
The three major types of this device are verbal, situational, and dramatic - and all three are employed by Douglass throughout his speech.
What is IRONY?