Article- What to the Salve is the Fourth of July? By Frederick Douglass.
1. We have concluded our units on Education and Ethics (Values). Our next unit is entitled "American Cultural Myths" (where we came from?) Who was Frederick Douglass and where did he come from?
2. Discuss Douglass "use of verbal irony in his introduction (paragraph1-3)
3. Identify several passages where Douglass appeals to values he assumes the audience shares with him. What values associated with the fight for independence does he use to argue for the abolition of slavery?
4. In what ways does Douglass draw upon the principles stated in the declaration of independence (p.492) to validate his argument?
5. Douglass admits feeling anger towards some members of his audience. How does he express his anger? Is his anger justified? How would you feel if you were sitting in this audience?
6. In your own word what is the thesis of Douglass speech?