Up From Slavery: An autobiography

Chelsey Wilkins
Up From Slavery: An autobiography
AP English III
01-12-10

Booker T. Washington has become world-wide known as a dominant figure in the African American community. As a well noted educator, being articulate worked as a benefit when Booker spoke. Booker T. Washington spoke out in the position of blacks in the Atlanta Exposition. Well populated by this speech, Booker is now a dominant figure.

Initially, the obvious use of ethos was displayed. Booker told of his speech toward African American roles in the southern society. The speech appealed relevant because it was written in first person. This event has actually occurred in his life and he wrote about it, which captures the essence of social realism because the chapter was a snap shot of what was happening at this time.

Booker T.W used numerous cases of figurative language in his autobiography. “The opportunity to earn a dollar in a factory just now is worth infinitely more than the opportunity to spend a dollar in an opera house.” This quote is a type of metaphor Booker uses shows that for an African American to make a dollar are greater than spending one in an opera. Basically Booker’s point is that it is too hard for blacks to be looked at with social equality creating difficulty to acquire income. I also noticed similes were used to further distinguish Booker’s objectives. For example, “he seemed to be as careful to shake hands with some old colored “auntie” clad partially in rags, and to take as much pleasure in doing so, as if he were greeting some millionaire.” Booker T.W used this quote to express an example; of his gratitude toward Grover Cleveland. The simile showed me some of the characteristics of Cleveland and his respect toward the minority race. Another example would be, “he was as peaceful and patient in doing this as if he were putting his signature to some great state document.” This quote also expressed Grover Cleveland as being dignified, respectful, patient, most of all an admirable man.

To conclude, Booker T.W could be described as the leading black dominant figure. He spoke well-respected, articulately, was well respected, and had ideal goals for his race. Booker’s autobiography was actually a reasonable source and appealed to pathos and ethos mainly.