Question

Seventy-six years, though a good old age for a man, is but a mere speck in the life of a nation. Three score years and ten is the allotted time for individual men; but nations number their years by thousands. According to this fact, you are, even now only in the beginning of you national career, still lingering in the period of childhood. I repeat, I am glad this is so. There is hope in the thought, and hope is much needed, under the dark clouds which lower above the horizon. The eye of the reformer is met with angry flashes, portending disastrous times; but his heart may well beat lighter at the thought that America is young, and that she is still in the impressible stage of her existence. May he not hope that high lessons of wisdom, of justice and of truth, will yet give direction to her destiny? Were the nation older, the patriot's heart might be sadder, and the reformer's brow heavier. Its future might be shrouded in gloom, and the hope of its prophets go out in sorrow. There is consolation in the thought, that America is young. Great streams are not easily turned from channels, worn deep in the course of ages. They may sometimes rise in quiet and stately majesty, and inundate the land, refreshing and fertilizing the earth with their mysterious properties. They may also rise in wrath and fury, and bear away, on their angry waves, the accumulated wealth of years of toil and hardship. They, however, gradually flow back to the same old channel, and flow on as serenely as ever. 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. As with rivers so with nations.
What is Douglass's main goal in giving this speech to a mostly white audience on July 5th, 1852?
(1 point)
To deliver a traditional speech honoring the nation's founders.
To reveal the contradiction of celebrating freedom while maintaining slavery.
To share his personal story of escaping from slavery.
To praise the nation for its youthful and receptive character.
Which statement best explains the purpose behind Douglass's opening expressions of humility and concern?
(1 point)
To generate personal sympathy from the audience by appearing vulnerable and relatable.
To use a common apology to lower expectations for his speech quality.
To demonstrate his genuine respect for the distinguished and educated audience members.
To establish his unique position as a former slave and challenge the audience's conscience.

Answer 1

1) To reveal the contradiction of celebrating freedom while maintaining slavery.
- Douglass aims to expose the hypocrisy of a nation celebrating liberty while upholding slavery.

2) To establish his unique position as a former slave and challenge the audience's conscience.
- His humble opening underscores his outsider/moral authority and forces the audience to face the moral inconsistencies he will criticize.