Speech Analysis:

Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) was an abolitionist publisher and orator in the anti-slave
movement. He was born in to slavery and escaped in 1838. He was invited to speak about how
the Fourth of July meant for the black population in the U.S. In acceptance, Douglass presented
his speech in Rochester, New York on July 5th 1852. In his speech, he attacks the irony and
hypocrisy of the nation’s patriotic holiday that celebrates freedom and independence, while most
of the black population was still enslaved.

THEME:

There are two themes in the poem “What to the slave is the Fourth July”, abolition of slavery,
and equality of men.

Abolition of Slavery:
Douglass speaks of this from both the perspective of the slave, and the perspective of the
"ordinary joe" in the street. He contends that slavery is wrong, against the constitution and
against the writings of all churches and faiths. He shows that since Jesus taught that the
enslavement of one man to another was wrong, and then slavery is wrong on religious grounds.
Douglass also believes that the abolition of slavery is around the corner and that with good
Americans working together with one goal this will be achieved very soon.

Equality of Men:

All men are equal. If all men are equal, no one should be allowed to "own" another. Douglass
also compares the slaves' suffering to those of white Americans living under British rule at the
time. They were effectively oppressed by another power, and they were so determined to free
themselves that they went to war to do so, willing to die in the process.

FORM:

-It is a narrative speech.

1. Paragraphs 1-3: Introduction
2. Paragraphs 4-29: Narrative or Statement of fact
3. Paragraphs 30-70: Arguments and Counter-Arguments
4. Paragraph 71: Conclusion

TONE & MOOD:

The tone and mood of this speech is combative, accusatory, angry, but also hopeful and
positive.

DICTION:

The poet uses very powerful, unemotional vocabulary, promoting a sense of blunt honesty.

IMAGERY:

PERSONIFICATION IMAGERY

“This celebration also marks the beginning of another year of your national life; and reminds you
that the Republic of America is now 76 years old.”
 - In this sentence, the Republic of America was likened to human or elderly person that is
76 years old.

SYMBOL IMAGERY

“This, for the purpose of this celebration, is the 4th of July. It is the birthday of your National
Independence, and of your political freedom. 

- The Fourth of July is a very special symbol that means more things than most people
think. For the great majority of America, is a symbol of independence from England and
the freedom and liberty which accompanies that independence. Douglass declares it to
be a very different symbol for slaves: a symbol of injustice and cruelty and victimhood.

“The 4th of July is the first great fact in your nation's history — the very ring-bolt in the chain of
your yet undeveloped destiny.”

- The poet used the term "ring-bolt" to symbolize or describe American history as a chain,
with the Fourth of July serving as the "ring-bolt." The ring-bolt is the very first ring in a
chain, the one that is bolted to the chain's anchor point. A ring bolt is a piece of hardware
that is used to anchor a chain to a hard surface.

METAPHOR IMAGERY

“Oh! be warned! be warned! a horrible reptile is coiled up in your nation's bosom; the

venomous creature is nursing at the tender breast of your youthful republic; for the love of God,
tear away, and fling from you the hideous monster, and let the weight of twenty millions crush
and destroy it forever!”

- In this speech, this metaphor likens to slavery to a “horrible reptile” and the United
States to a woman. The woman, who is described as pure and tender, nurtures this
snake-like creature. Douglass imagines eradicating slavery by striking down the creature
from the woman’s bosom.

SIMILE
“The existence of slavery in this country brands your republicanism as a sham, your
humanity as a base pretence, and your Christianity as a lie. It destroys your moral power
abroad; it corrupts your politicians at home. It saps the foundation of religion; it makes your
name a hissing, and a bye-word to a mocking earth.”

- In this speech, the poet uses simile to compare two separate concepts through the use
of a clear connecting word which is “as”. He compares republicanism as a sham,
humanity as a base pretence and Christianity as a lie. (Religion in England and religion
in America section)

“I hear the doleful wail of fettered humanity, on the way to the slave-markets, where the victims
are to be sold like horses, sheep, and swine, knocked off to the highest bidder.”

- This simile directly compares slaves to horses, sheep, and pigs, which serves the
purpose of illustrating how they were viewed by slave traders: as domestic beasts to be
purchased and used.

ONOMATOPOEIA

“But, while the river may not be turned aside, it may dry up, and leave nothing behind but the
withered branch, and the unsightly rock, to howl in the abyss-sweeping wind, the sad tale of
departed glory.”

“Heat and sorrow have nearly consumed their strength; suddenly you hear a quick snap, like
the discharge of a rifle; the fetters clank, and the chain rattles simultaneously; your ears are
saluted with a scream that seems to have torn its way to the centre of your soul! The crack you
heard, was the sound of the slave-whip; the scream you heard, was from the woman you saw
with the babe.”