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Evin Code

Mrs. Reed

AP Lang Period 3

24 November 2013

People of all sorts have come face to face with inimical challenges, ones that ask them to sacrifice

everything for a small chance of success, but history is made when those choose to pick up their weapon

when doubt looms over them. While the Civil War affected every American alive at the time, its outcome

had the largest impact on African Americans. In his speech Alfred M. Green tries to open the eyes of

blacks everywhere to join the fight for their freedom through the use of appeals, and diction.

Green is burdened with the knowledge that if the north loses it means morbid changes for all and

has the responsibility of leading a lion through an ocean. In the beginning of his speech, Green appeals to

their logistical minds by pointing out the irony in what the country was founded on: “freedom, and of

civil and religious toleration.” He contrasts how blacks should be treated as Americans and how they are

being treated, in doing so he fuels the fire to fight for the blacks to fight for what’s theirs. Green also

yields historical allusion, mentioning the “immortal Washington” and “Jackson” to appeals to the

patriotism the blacks have in their hearts, moving them closer to desiring to fight in the war. Green

appeals to the religious beliefs of the blacks throughout his speech. He refers to their Christian god as the

“God of truth, Justice and equality to all men” making the blacks feel obligated to help the cause of the

Civil War, insinuating that it’s what their religion calls for. He wants them to be “trusting in God” to

convince them not only that will God keep them safe in the fight but will ensure justice. Green begins to

remind the blacks of their “oppressed brethren,” referring to slaves in the south. Green stabs at their

emotions, making them feel guilty not fighting for what their brothers are unable to fight for. Green

continues appealing to the blacks’ emotion, reminding them of “dreary months of imprisonment” to

spark their hate for their oppressors and to hopefully act out against them by fighting. He motivates his

people by describing to them the goals of southern leaders which are to “drive back…civil and religious

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freedom... and have more slave territory.” Green powerfully reminds them of the enemy and what the

north is fighting to prevent, and how the future of the nation rests in their hands.

Greens subtle yet powerful use of diction helps to kindle their will to fight. Words like

“imprisonment” and “solicitude” reminds the blacks of their past “grievances” and treatment and how

previous efforts have had little success but this is their opportunity to change the lives of themselves and

their grandchildren forever. He calls the blacks his “brethren” to create a sense of unity amongst them and

to oppose a feeling of loneliness in the challenging time they face. Through words like “auspicious,”

Green paints himself as an educated leader, one who is persuading them in the right direction and one

whose word should be followed. He says they sholdnt “cavil” over past grievances, telling them that it

would be unnecessary and would achieve nothing. Instead he suggests action that would change the future

of the country. He uses the word “derelict” to describe what it would be not to join forces and fight for

what is theirs, to sit back and watch as freedom crumbles, and to ignore the call of duty when it echoes

loudest. Green fires up the blacks with “zeal” to create a fiery mood making them want to rally against

the south at that very moment. Through repetition of the phrase “let us” he again creates a sense of

unity and reminds them of a common goal which persuades the blacks to join the army without

explicitly telling them to do so. Instead of barking orders, he leads them to what needs to be done through

precise word choice like “let us.” The word “us” categorizes himself with the blacks, bringing them

together, and showing leadership, making them want to follow him into battle. Green uses the phrase ”it

is true” to quickly dismiss specific rebuttals to his speech, letting the blacks know that nothing refutes

what needs to be done. He wants the blacks to understand that he knows their concern and reluctances

but what he is asking them to do is a sacrifice for the entire nation.