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Benjamin Banneker Rhetorical Analysis
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Published: Mar 13, 2024
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Benjamin Banneker writes to Thomas Jefferson, urging justice for African Americans
On August 19, 1791, the accomplished American mathematician and astronomer Benjamin Banneker pens a letter to then-Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson . Jefferson corresponds prolifically with luminaries from around the world, but Banneker is unique among them: the son of a free Black American woman and a formerly enslaved African man from Guinea, Banneker criticizes Jefferson’s hypocritical stance on slavery in respectful but unambiguous terms, using Jefferson’s own words to make his case for the abolition of slavery .
Banneker himself was born free in what is now Ellicott City, Maryland, and was encouraged in his studies of astronomy and mathematics by the Ellicotts, a Quaker family who owned a mill and much of the land in the area. Predicting a solar eclipse and constructing a functioning clock that struck on the hour were among his early achievements. His prowess caught the eye of Jefferson after Major Andrew Ellicott chose Banneker to assist him in surveying the original boundaries of what would become the District of Columbia . Banneker also compiled several ephemerides (a type of astronomical chart) and almanacs.
In August of 1791, Banneker sent Jefferson, who was known both as a Founding Father and a devoted scientist, a draft of an almanac he was readying for publication. He felt compelled to include a personal note. In this letter, Banneker quoted the famous preamble to the Declaration of Independence (“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…”) and said plainly that he was disappointed in the hypocrisy of Jefferson, a slaveowner:
"…but Sir how pitiable is it to reflect, that altho 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 so numerous a part of my brethren under groaning captivity and cruel oppression, that you should at the same time be found guilty of that most criminal act, which you professedly detested in others, with respect to yourselves."
Jefferson’s response, eleven days later, was cordial and complimentary but also condescending and racist. Jefferson praised the almanac and informed Banneker that he was sending it along to the Marquis de Condorcet, a French philosopher, mathematician, and abolitionist. The future president praised Banneker as a credit to the Black race, essentially telling him that he considered the almanac evidence that African American’s inferiority was owed “merely to the degraded condition of their existence both in Africa and America” and not to their innate inferiority, a paternalistic sentiment that was a frequent topic of debate among whites.
After Banneker’s death, Jefferson expressed doubt that a Black man could have written the almanac. He continued to own enslaved workers, despite decrying slavery in some of his writings, until his own death in 1826. Shortly after they were written, a Philadelphia publisher circulated a pamphlet containing Banneker’s eloquent argument for abolition and Jefferson’s non-committal response, which made the rounds among the nascent abolitionist movement. Contrary to the myth that slavery was universally accepted among educated and elite circles in the early United States, Banneker’s letter stands as proof that one of the nation’s founders received first-hand criticism of his hypocritical and contradictory stance on slavery in his lifetime.
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Benjamin Banneker Rhetorical Analysis. Benjamin Banneker was an African-American scientist, astronomer, mathematician, and author who lived during the 18th century. He is best known for his almanacs and his work on surveying the District of Columbia. In 1791, Banneker wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State, in which he ...
controlled and perceptive analysis of Banneker's rhetorical strategies. Sample: 2B Score: 5 This response demonstrates an understanding of Banneker's letter but offers an inconsistent analysis of the rhetorical strategies employed. The essay focuses on devices more than meaning, and it is organized in terms of devices.
Century Texts: Benjamin Banneker's Letter to Thomas Jefferson, 1791. Purpose for Reading - Essential Question about Rhetoric: How does Banneker use rhetorical techniques to argue against slavery? Purpose for Discussion - Essential Questions for Discussion: How does Banneker's letter reveal the "We vs.
Benjamin Banneker Rhetorical Analysis. Benjamin Banneker, the son of former slaves, wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson to argue against slavery. Banneker was an educated man, he was an astronomer, mathematician, surveyor, author, and farmer, yet, Jefferson had not known this information. Banneker makes his argument through the use of allusion ...
On August 19, 1791, the accomplished American mathematician and astronomer Benjamin Banneker pens a letter to then-Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson corresponds prolifically with ...
Thomas Jefferson Essay. President ; Thomas Jefferson ; In 1776, a group of 56 of the most intelligent men were elected by the people to come together and create a statement of separation from England so that these 13 colonies might unite to form their own independent state.
4. đź“ŚPublished: 26 March 2022. In his 1791 letter, Benjamin Banneker writes to Thomas Jefferson, urging him to take a stand against the practice of slavery. At this time, slavery was a very controversial issue, and the author urges Jefferson to take his side. To make his speech more effective, he uses historical allusion, ethos, and pathos.
Rhetorical Analysis Of Benjamin Banneker's Letter. Benjamin Banneker's letter is filled with a litany of examples to argue against slavery. Banneker was a farmer, astronomer, mathematician, surveyor, author, and the son of former slaves. Banneker wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson, the framer of the Declaration of Independence and secretary ...
Benjamin Banneker, an accomplished man that was the son of former slaves, writes to Thomas Jefferson to express his anger and resentment towards slaveowning. He uses several rhetorical strategies to argue the abolishment of slavery. Banneker alludes to the Declaration of Independence to emphasize how slaves deserve the same treatment as other men.
Rhetorical Analysis Of Benjamin Banneker. 807 Words 4 Pages. Benjamin Banneker was a free African American who lived during a time when slavery was still prominent in America. As a free African American, Banneker knew the joys of freedom. In 1791 he wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson in which he urged Jefferson to put an end to slavery in ...
Benjamin Banneker Rhetorical Analysis - Free download as Word Doc (.doc / .docx), PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. Analysis of Benjamin Banneker's letter to Thomas Jefferson. Discusses rhetorical strategies used in the letter.
Benjamin Banneker's Rhetorical Analysis. Benjamin Banneker earnestly attempts to persuade Thomas Jefferson, former slave owner, the wrongness of slavery by using his sense of morality and reasoning against him. Banneker brings to light Jefferson's views and to set the foundation to take his argument further. He refers to the Revolutionary War ...
Close Reading and Rhetorical Analysis of 2010 Question 2 ... In 1791, African-American, Benjamin Banneker wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson in an effort to persuade Jefferson to see the injustice of slavery. Banneker uses emotional and logical appeal, allusions to historical events and biblical stories, and a retrospective and respectful, yet ...
Benjamin Banneker wrote to Thomas Jefferson in an attempt to make him come to sense and abolish slavery. During these times slavery was a major issue in the United States. Benjamin remanices to when the U were slaves of Great Britain, points out how it contradicts the U constitution, and expresses how their action are of a hypocrite.
Papers earning a score of 6 adequately analyze how Banneker uses rhetorical strategies to argue against slavery. They develop their analysis with evidence and explanations that are appropriate and sufficient, referring to the passage explicitly or implicitly. The writing may contain lapses in diction or syntax, but generally the prose is clear.
Rhetorical Analysis Of Benjamin Banneker. Benjamin Banneker was a free African American who lived during a time when slavery was still prominent in America. As a free African American, Banneker knew the joys of freedom. In 1791 he wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson in which he urged Jefferson to put an end to slavery in America by using his ...
Benjamin Banneker was a son of former slaves, who was a farmer, astronomer, mathematician, surveyor, and author. In his letter, Benjamin Banneker is basically trying to convince Thomas Jefferson that slavery is bad and that he should try and end it. He employs three main rhetorical strategies to make his argument persuasive.
Benjamin Banneker, a well educated man, wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson in 1791 arguing against slavery. Banneker uses several rhetorical techniques including tone, allusion, diction, ethos, pathos, and counterargument to make his position of the given subject clear and to make Mr. Jefferson change his own opinion about slavery.…. 387 Words.
Benjamin Banneker Rhetorical Analysis. Benjamin Banneker being that he is a son of a former slave has a strong stance on the negativity of slavery. He writes to the then secretary of state Thomas Jefferson, challenging Jefferson to debate racial equality on the accounts of moral grounds. Banneker effectively argues that not only is slavery ...
Rhetorical Analysis Of Benjamin Banneker's Letter To Thomas Jefferson. In 1791, astronomer, mathematician, and author, Benjamin Banneker, in his letter addressed to Thomas Jefferson argues about slavery. Banneker's purpose was to persuade Jefferson of the injustice of slavery and alter his view on it. Banneker adopts a formal yet condemning ...
A Rhetorical Analysis Of Benjamin Banneker. Benjamin Banneker, the son of former slaves, wrote to Thomas Jefferson in 1791 to argue against slavery and that the freedom and tranquility we enjoy is a blessing from heaven. The author uses quotes, diction and rhetorical questions to develop and support his claims.
Benjamin Banneker was one of the many people who helped push this country into a new age of freedom. Throughout the essay, Banneker's usage of negative diction enables the reader to comprehend the extent of the oppression slaves in this time period faced. He goes on to describe slavery as "groaning captivity and cruel oppression" which ...