William Cowper’s poem “Slavery” has lots of descriptive thoughts and opinions concerning “human nature’s broadest, foulest blot” (Cowper). By using diction Cowper is able to expose the obscenities and barbarity of slavery. The poem discusses how slavery in society can change mankind for worst and if no one does anything to help other realize what their decisions are going to do to society that humanity will go down hill as a whole. The use of diction and tone throughout the poem helps Cowper persuade the reader that slavery is wrong and inhumane.
Slavery dehumanizes not only the slaves, but the slave owner’s as well, in turn it “dooms and devotes [the slave] as the [owners prey]” (Cowper). The poem “Slavery” uses concrete diction and literal…show more content… When Cowper wrote “Slavery” he intentionally utilized a somber tone to reiterate that slavery is sickening and “[pained Cowper’s] ear” to hear the events that were taking place (Cowper). Due to slavery, violence became a daily occurrence. Cowper uses concrete diction as examples of the excuses that the slave owners made such as “he finds his fellow guilty of a skin not colored like his own.” Cowper has these excuses to express how insane that the idea of slavery even exists. Considering he is a white man himself these excuses simply do not uphold to be valid excuses for…show more content… Cowper intentionally puts descriptive sentences throughout the poem to effectively convey to his audience that slavery should disturb human beings who experiences emotions. Such as this sentence “my ear is pained my soul is sick with every day’s report of wrong and outrage with which earth is filled” (Cowper). But slavery did not disturb anyone and Cowper stands astounded by the ignorance people have throughout the whole world. Cowper’s thoughts later on progress into more detailed and abstract examples of how slavery corrupts the way people live their life and perceive others around them.
Throughout the poem Cowper changes how he presents his arguments. He first starts out with how slavery affected him and how he longs to escape from the “rumor[s] and deceit” where they can “reach [him] no more” (Cowper). Then he transitions into how slavery affects the nation by bringing up topics such as making “enemies of nations” (Cowper). Cowper’s diction plays an immense role in supporting Cowper’s thoughts and ideas on the