Ary Ann Shadd Cary

368 Words2 Pages
Mary Ann Shadd Cary, an African American newspaper publisher, wrote “Why Establish This Paper?” that appeared in the second issue of the Provincial Freeman. After reading an excerpt from it, I was able to identify and analyze a couple techniques Cary used in the process of writing the paper. The first technique I noticed was personification; a figure of speech in which inanimate objects or abstractions are endowed with human qualities. Within the first paragraph, it states: “As the great country grows, we grow with it; as it improves and progresses, we are carried forward on the bosom of its onward tide.” You can observe the personification in that statement because it gives a human trait, the bosom, to a non-living object, the country. This technique enhances the paper because by associating non-living objects with human qualities, it allows people to relate to the idea or statement being proposed. This may make it easier to understand what is being said as well. Additionally, I saw two other techniques that go hand-in-hand. They are evoking emotion and the use of persuasion. In the second paragraph it reads: “Besides, it is due to our Constitution and Government, that we should train ourselves as to fit us for the discharge of the duties of freeman, in full.” In the process of reading this sentence, it is hard not to get the feeling as though the author is correct. By the seriousness of her tone, and the logic of the sentence, it persuades me to believe in Cary’s opinion. Also, this is mentioned: “They either pass us by, in cold contempt, ignore us altogether, keep themselves or their readers, or both ignorant of what Canada is.” In this sentence, she is evoking negativity and gives me a critical point of view while reading. It also makes it easier for me to agree with her, she is giving reasons why I should believe what
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