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

Question

—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

The purpose of the rhetorical question you quoted from Frederick Douglass is to highlight the contradiction between the Declaration of Independence and slavery. Douglass uses this rhetorical style to emphasize the irony of a country founded on the principles of liberty and equality while simultaneously practicing slavery, thereby calling attention to the injustices faced by enslaved people.