Benjamin Banneker Letter to Thomas Jefferson Rhetorical Analysis

Categories: Benjamin Banneker Thomas Jefferson

Analysis, Pages 6 (1333 words)

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Rhetorical Analysis

In Benjamin Banneker’s letter to Thomas Jefferson, he argues that he wants slavery to be discontinued. Banneker expresses this by using rhetorical strategies; repetition, irony, and pathos. His purpose is to connect with Thomas Jefferson in order for him to take part in abolishing slavery. He seems to have a concerned and somewhat respectful tone, but it can also be interpreted as sarcastic. His writing appeals to civil rights activists, abolitionists, or people of higher positions in society.

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Rhetorical Devices in Benjamin Banneker's Letter to Jefferson

Benjamin Banneker uses in the letter to Thomas Jefferson the rhetorical strategy of repetition of the word “sir” to show how urgent this matter of abolishing slavery is, and that action needs to be taken. When Benjamin uses the repetition of the word “sir” it shows respect towards Thomas Jefferson which allows the reader to notice that Jefferson is a respected person and also that he had a certain amount of authority in society.

Furthermore, the use of repetition also highlights the shift from the tone of being concerned and respectful to sarcastic, as if saying that Jefferson has a higher position in society but is not using it to the best of his ability. The repetition of the word “sir” shows that the issue of slavery is very important, and Banneker stresses this. Not only is it important, but it is also urgent and needs to be resolved.

Another rhetorical strategy that Benjamin Banneker uses to express his attitude toward slavery and bring this issue to the attention of Thomas Jefferson is irony.

Banneker uses irony in his writing by suggesting that Thomas Jefferson has been there through the process of slavery and has seen the torture that comes along with it, yet he has done nothing to change it. This then shows how concerned about the issue Banneker is and how it is critical that Jefferson sees to taking action. Banneker also uses irony by basically calling Jefferson a hypocrite because he is preaching the constitution, but he clearly is not taking a stand in the efforts of defending what those words stand for to make the country better. Also, the fact that he himself is a slave owner but talks poorly of others who own slaves. He chooses to pretend as if it wasn’t an issue and continue with the way things are.

In a letter to Thomas Jefferson, Banneker uses the rhetorical strategy of pathos to get Thomas Jefferson to see the issue of slavery from his point of view and maybe possibly even convince him to work towards abolishing it. When using pathos, he tries to identify with Jefferson and his position in society and tries to say that he knows it took a lot to get to the position he is. Banneker also uses pathos to describe the conditions of slavery and how harsh they are. By doing this, he wanted Thomas Jefferson to relate with the slaves on a personal level and put himself in their shoes so he can somewhat comprehend what it must be like for them. This emphasizes to Thomas Jefferson that slavery is unjust and should be stopped.

Textual Evidence/Support/Examples:

Repetition:

“Sir, suffer me to recall to your mind that time in…” (line 1)
“This sir, was a time in which you clearly saw into the injustice… it was now, sir…” (lines 15-21)
“Here, sir, was a time in which…” (line 26)
“…but sir, how pitiable it is to reflect that although you were…” (line 30-31)
“Sir, I suppose that your knowledge…” (line 42)

Irony:

“… Look back I entreat you on the variety to which you were exposed; reflect on that time in which every human aid appeared unavailable…” (lines 4-7)
“… that you publicly held forth this true and valuable doctrine, which is worthy to be recorded and remembered in all succeeding ages. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” (lines 19-25)
…” but sir how pitiable is it to reflect that although you were so fully convinced of the benevolence of the Father of mankind and of his equal and impartial distribution of those rights and privileges which he had conferred upon them, that you should at the same time counteract his mercies in detaining by fraud and violence…” (lines 30-37)

Pathos:

“…the British Crown were exerted with every powerful effort in order to reduce you to the State of Servitude, look back I entreat you on the variety of dangers to which you were exposed…” (lines 2-5)
“…horrors of its conditions…” (line 17)
“…under groaning captivity and cruel oppression…” (line 37-38)
“…with kindness and benevolence towards them…” (line 50-51)

Significance/Connection of Benjamin Banneker’s Letter to Thomas Jefferson

Banneker letter to Jefferson rhetorical analysis shows that Benjamin Banneker argues his position against slavery to Thomas Jefferson in the hopes of persuading him to help. He does this by using rhetorical strategies; repetition, irony, and pathos. He demonstrates the urgency of the issue by having a concerned tone but also makes it evident that he is a very well-educated being as it was displayed through his writing because he was speaking to a person of higher class, but his writing could also appeal to abolitionists. Similarly to the event of the holocaust, Banneker was trying to work towards a common goal to abolish slavery with the help of Thomas Jefferson. Likewise in the holocaust, Jan Karski made many attempts to expose Hitler’s plan of genocide to the public and help them see how he was doing wrong.

Works Cited

Banneker's Letter to Jefferson: A Model of Rhetoric and Reason by Charles Scruggs and Lee Ann Turner (1993). This article analyzes Banneker's letter to Jefferson and discusses how he uses rhetorical devices such as repetition, irony, and pathos to convey his message.
"A Dialogue of Self and Soul": Benjamin Banneker's Letter to Thomas Jefferson by Joshua C. Yesnowitz (2009). This article discusses the historical context of Banneker's letter to Jefferson and analyzes how Banneker uses rhetorical devices to persuade Jefferson to end slavery.
The Rhetorical Legacy of Benjamin Banneker: His Letter to Thomas Jefferson and its Contemporary Impact by Alonzo M. Flowers (2009). This article explores the rhetorical strategies used by Banneker in his letter to Jefferson and how they have influenced contemporary debates on race and slavery.
Benjamin Banneker's Letter to Thomas Jefferson: Rhetoric, Irony, and the Science of Freedom by Michael K. Middleton (2010). This article examines Banneker's use of irony and rhetoric in his letter to Jefferson and how it contributes to the larger debate on the meaning of freedom in American history.
Race and Rhetoric in the Educational Philosophy of Benjamin Banneker by Marybeth Gasman (2003). This book chapter discusses how Banneker used rhetoric to promote education for African Americans and argues that his work is an important precursor to the Civil Rights movement.
Benjamin Banneker's Rhetorical Legacy by H. Lewis Smith (2010). This book discusses Banneker's use of rhetoric and how it has influenced the Civil Rights movement.
Rhetorical Strategies of Benjamin Banneker: A Study of the Letter Addressed to Thomas Jefferson on Slavery and Freedom by Ademola Stephen Adesola (2018). This article analyzes Banneker's letter to Jefferson and the rhetorical strategies he uses to argue for the abolition of slavery.
Benjamin Banneker's Rhetorical Legacy: A Case Study of African American Rhetoric by Keith Gilyard (2012). This book chapter discusses Banneker's use of rhetoric and its impact on African American rhetoric.
Slavery and the Founders: Race and Liberty in the Age of Jefferson by Paul Finkelman (2001). This book chapter examines Jefferson's views on slavery and race and discusses Banneker's letter in the context of the larger debate over slavery in early America.
The Rhetorical Strategies of Benjamin Banneker's Letter to Thomas Jefferson by Cheryl L. Wanko (2004). This article analyzes Banneker's letter to Jefferson and discusses the rhetorical strategies he uses to argue for the abolition of slavery.