Question

Would you have me argue that man is entitled to liberty?

—Frederick Douglass

What is the purpose of this rhetorical question?

to highlight the contradiction between the Declaration of Independence and slavery

to discuss liberty and equality experienced by all people under the Declaration of Independence

to encourage audience participation in the argument about the Declaration of Independence

to illustrate that the Declaration of Independence does not state that people are entitled to liberty

Answer 1

to highlight the contradiction between the Declaration of Independence and slavery

Douglass uses the rhetorical question to expose the hypocrisy of a nation that proclaims liberty and equality while practicing slavery.