Reading and Discussion Questions for Douglass, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”
Winter 2011

1. How does Douglass present himself to the audience in the first three paragraphs? What is the significance of the “distance” to which he alludes?

2. What is the significance of characterizing America as “lingering in the period of childhood”?

3. What is “simple story” Douglass tells (149-54)?

4. Who are the “Tories” (151) and how do they come into play in Douglass’s argument?

5. What is the purpose of Douglass’ reference to the Declaration of Independence (152)?

6. “I will unite with you to honor their memory” (152). How would you analyze this sentence with reference to identification/division?

7. Consider the sentence on p. 153 beginning “Fully appreciating the hardship to be encountered . . .” What do you notice about the structure of the sentence?

8. In the section titled “The Present,” Douglass asks, “why am I called upon to speak here to-day” (155)? Consider his later claim: “I am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary” (1550. How do you interpret these comments?

9. In the paragraph announcing his subject (156-157), Douglass violates a criterion of participation in the public sphere: disinterestedness. How does he defend his position in this paragraph? What rhetorical stance will he take?

10. How does he defend his rhetorical style on p. 157?

11. How does Douglass employ the rhetoric of the list at the bottom of p. 157?

12. How does Enlightenment philosophy enter into the argument on p. 158?

13. What is Douglass’s position on rhetoric at the bottom of p. 158?

14. The long paragraph on p. 160 offers an example of description. How does Douglass use the imperative mood in this passage?

15. Douglass introduces his own experience at the bottom of 160. How are the following paragraphs related to the story he told in the Narrative?

16. What are Douglass’s objections to the Fugitive Slave Law (162-63)?

17. Douglass’s language against Christianity in support of slavery is vivid (164-68). Which phrases stand out to you?

18. Douglass claims that “there is neither warrant, license, nor sanction” of slavery” in the Constitution (168). Do you agree?

19. How does Douglass advocate a public encounter with Constitution on p. 169?

20. How does Douglass evoke a spirit of internationalism at the close of the speech?