The American Dream as a Myth
...ut they can, nevertheless, prevail if they are willing to rise against social dsyfunction. It is evident that the audiences for each piece are very dissimilar. Rather than bestowing blame upon one party, which are the Anglo-Americans, like Douglass, King not only blames his oppressor but takes partial responsibility for their adversity. In another instance, their attitudes toward their listeners/readers are also quite different. Douglass's tone toward the Anglo-Americans is disgruntled and resentful. He would rather remain irreconcilable until there is an abolishment of slavery and equality among his people. However, King understands that even though he is being oppressed he should still love his enemy. He declares, "Through nonviolent resistance the Negro will be able to rise to the noble height of opposing the unjust system while loving the perpetrators of the system." (qtd. in King). With this in mind, both Douglass and King would seem liable to forgive their persecutor if there is change. However, what sets these two men apart is that King would not only pardon his oppressor but pardon him completely by pushing all resentment aside. Douglass would have been more likely to hold them to their past actions whenever he felt was it was convenient for his people. In "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?", Douglass makes the point that the American dream is a myth by consistantly using forms of pathos to establish his point. Douglass compares African-American opression to Anglo-American joy. He emphasizes this by using possesive diction, which bestows guilt upon the the audience: "This Forth of July is yours not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn." (qtd. in Douglass). Addtionally, he includes biblical allusions, which consequently and effectively adds to the emotionalism of the piece. All of which attribute to his work, and subsequently transform it to something that is "more metaphorical than rhetorical." (qtd. in Southerland). King's word choice is of an encouraging and peaceful nature. While attributing one of King's works in a sermon, a member of Christ Church recollects King's deep, dynamic voice which "stressed his diction in a slow introductory cadence." (qtd.-Branch in Bolden). Common in all of his works, he constantly uses citations and allusions from the Bible to imprint upon the audience that the use of violence and conformity can only bring misadventure and condemnation. He declares that although they follow the Bible, they can no longer hide behind it as as an excuse to administer violence. "The old law of an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind." (qtd. in King). Through the use of the word "old", he recognizes violence as an act used in the olden days and unjustifiable in present times. He assures them, however, that passive resistance is "imperative in order to bring about ultimate community." (qtd. in King). Words such as "imperative" and "ultimate" not only give urgency to the piece but serve as motivation. Similarly to Douglass, King uses biblical allusions to convey his message. Nevertheless, his methods in projecting them are quite distinct. King is both urgent and authoritve, yet he never neglects to encourage his followers to break the bonds of the corrupt society in which they pertain to. In contrast, by using a condescending diction to formulate a heavy and uncomfortabe atmosphere, Douglass turns the tables on his congregation, and they ironically become the oppressed. Douglass's combination of loaded sytax and biblical allusions effectively create a downcast mood upon the audience. "And let me warn you, that it is dangerous to copy the crimes of a nation whose crimes, towering up to heaven, were thrown down by the breath of the Almighty, burying that nation in irrecoverable ruin." (qtd. in Douglass). In addition, the biblical mention helps to convince the congregation that if God condemns their corrupt behavior, they should apart from it as well. If they choose to continue that lifestyle they will then become the victims of God's wrath. Throughout the course of "Stride Toward Freedom," King uses a cause-effect sentence sturcture: "To accept passively an unjust system is to cooperate with that system..." "To accept injustice or segregation passively is to say to the oppressor that his actions are morally right." (qtd. in King). The key phrases in both sentences which institutes this cause-effect relationship are "To accept" and "is to." This allows the audience to fully comprehend the consequences if they do nothing for their cause. In these examples of sytax, it is needless to say that both Douglass and King are similar in using cause-effect structuring in their works. Although, King's use of this structure is more perceptible then Douglass's, it can be understood in the interpretation given (refer back to paragraph eight: "...they should apart....God's wrath.") The use of cause and effect, is often very effectual in allowing one to see the bigger picture. The listener/reader not only comprehends that they are incorrect in manner but what disastrous consequences their actions may bring. Douglass, at first, uses a passive-agressive voice to address the audience. As he proceeds, the use of rhetorical questions and sarcasm become quite constant, adding to the speakers vehemence: "Fellow citizens: Pardon me, and allow me to ask why am I called upon to speak here today? What have I or those I represent to do with your national independence?" (qtd. in Douglass). It is through the use "of rhetorical devices such as (this example,) anaphora, personification, wordplay, antithesis, and hyperbole;...his extended use of irony and sarcasm when denouncing wrongdoing; his increasing reliance on documentation to verify his points(, which contribute to the piece's effectivity.) (qtd. in Taylor). Furthermore, by constantly elaborating the hypocracy of the American dream, Douglass becomes stirred up and commenses to speak more passionately and agressively toward his oppressor. As he concludes, it is he who becomes ever so frank that he harshly states that "the hypo...