Douglass Learning To Read And Write Analysis

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The evolution of the African American voice takes many turns through history while maintaining the same basic principles. The works of influential African American’s shape a movement that traverses centuries. Frederick Douglass’s “Learning to Read and Write” displays a respectful and curious voice. James Baldwin’s “Stranger in the Village” demonstrates a powerful urgency. Doctor Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech shows similar power and urgency. Lastly, Maya Angelou’s “Graduation” explains a feeling of respectful demand. The first account of the African American voice started with Frederick Douglass’s essay “Learning to Read and Write”. Douglass begins with an account of his owners wife where he described her with very kind and …show more content…

By doing this Douglass maintains a respectful view of her despite how she reacted towards him. Another situation in the essay where he uses the same respect is in Douglass’s description of some young white boys that aid him in his pursuit of knowledge. Douglass structures the sentences to create a more friendly atmosphere between the them. This language portrays them more as equals, allowing Douglass to question their stance on slavery. This response highlights the theme of freedom for the African American. A third account of respect was Douglass’s encounter with some irish men at the docks. Douglass continues to use language to create an honest and respectful environment where the men can provided advice that reestablishes the theme of freedom. Each description has an interwoven feeling of respect towards its focus. Douglass portrays every experience as an opportunity, and never fails to highlight his opinion on freedom and equality whether it’s positive or negative. Throughout the passage many forms of figurative language were used most frequently being metaphors and similes portraying a more educated type of writing style as well as helping to create the environment to …show more content…

King creates an undeniable feeling of respect, he creates a comfortable atmosphere, and he gets the point across to everyone. King brings up multiple different historical events that shape the nation into what it is such as the Emancipation Proclamation and the creation of the constitution. Both are American events that made the country into what it is and not one American can deny them. King also brings up the figures who led these events and created a mutual respect and honor for them at the beginning of the speech. This brings the audience together in an undeniable way. Another part of Dr.King’s speech is the way he makes all the participants comfortable. In many different sections he lists off names of States or geographical landmarks that someone in the audience can identify with. The fact that their state or area is being included creates a personal atmosphere, and makes it more like the speech is directed at you personally. Lastly Doctor King gets the main point across in multiple different ways using tautology. King has a very powerful way in which he repeats the most critical point in each paragraph. He pushes this thought over and over again until it is the only point that matters. What makes this repetition so successful and enticing is the amount of ways Dr.King can disguise the same thing. Each line of his speech hosts a form of figurative language

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