Most masters want their slaves to remain ignorant. Many writers have used intellectual wordplays and language to connect with readers in order to create emotional connections. Frederick Douglass was one of many writers who used rhetorical devices to create an emotional bond between the writer and the reader.
Douglass used a variety of methods to influence the audience. As stated in the statement, “He’d whip her until she screamed, then whip her again to quiet her down; and only after he had become exhausted, would he give up swinging his bloodstained cowskin”. Readers were immediately moved by the crazed slave owner who treated slaves with such poor manners. Douglass’s use of language helped to paint a picture for readers. The changes in slavery really showed the empathy that was felt because of the horrific things the slaves experienced. This autobiography was a masterpiece of imagery.
Additionally, irony and comedy were used in order to give the reader a glimpse into how slaves saw light even when it was dark. The quote was “I consider my departure from the plantation of Colonel Lloyd as one of most interesting events in my life”. The quote implies that Douglass was never free during his slavery years, but he preferred some slaveholders over others due to their violence and diatribes against slaves. This irony was used to lighten the mood and make the readers feel better. Douglass’s humor made them feel relieved. Irony is a great way to make readers feel better when reading about the horrors that Douglass and other slaves have experienced.
Douglass used tone to show his attitude to slaveholders as well as other people that he encountered in the autobiography. “I loathed the worst and most wicked men” was another statement. This quote has a very pessimistic tone. Douglass, however, hated the men he was describing. Douglass still used very careful words to describe them without cursing them. It was the tone that made readers realize how Douglass felt at different times.
Repetition was also used as a rhetorical tool to influence the audience. As stated, “Where slave-whips ceaselessly swing, Where noisy insects sting, Where fever-demons strew” are all examples. This part of the poetry makes use of repetition to make the words spoken more powerful. The scene described in the last quote is gloomy and unappealing to read. But the rhetorical tool used in this part of poem triggered the audience, as it was unique compared to all the other literature. This quote used a clever wordplay to describe the places where the horrifying horrors took place.
Douglass continues by using a wide variety of language to express how he finally felt free. Douglass, who was born as a slave, had to flee the slaveholder and the place where he lived to be able to live his dream life. For instance, “I escaped from a worse fate than lions’ teeth”. The metaphor Douglass used to describe his slavery was painful and traumatic. It was the greatest feeling to finally be free. The reader was shown how much worse slavery is in comparison with a lions jaw. This influenced people’s view of slavery. It became a major issue and many people started to speak up about it.
In all situations, Douglass’ use of rhetorical tools and wordplay affected the audience on many levels. Douglass used these tools to get the true emotions of his readers. Douglass wanted them to see what slavery was like and to be able to relate to it. Douglass hoped that people would realize the need to change the world. This autobiography was written by Douglass to show how the world has changed. Most people are unable to relate to it, but it still continues to make a difference in people’s daily lives.
