Question

I am for the "immediate, unconditional, and universal" enfranchisement of the black man, in every State in the Union. [Loud applause.] Without this, his liberty is a mockery; without this, you might as well almost retain the old name of slavery for his condition; for in fact, if he is not the slave of the individual master, he is the slave of society, and holds his liberty as a privilege, not as a right. He is at the mercy of the mob, and has no means of protecting himself. How does the repetition of the phrase “without this” support the paragraph’s argument?
A.It reinforces the idea that without equality in the US, the idea of a free society is a joke.
B.It suggests that a free society is possible, with or without equal rights for all people.
C.It indicates that Douglass would be content without material possessions or status.
D.It proposes that slavery will not be abolished in the US without the support of all citizens.

Answer 1

The correct answer is A. It reinforces the idea that without equality in the US, the idea of a free society is a joke

Explanation:

The repetition of a word or phrase is a common device used in writing and speeches to reinforce a point by making it clearer or making the audience remember it. In the excerpt presented the speaker or author first explains he is there for the "enfranchisement of the black man" which means the speaker is fighting  to make government and society give rights to the Afro-American population and then the author uses the phrase "without this" to support the idea that without the rights for the black population there is not a real enfranchisement or  "liberty is a mockery" as the speaker considers slavery had ended but there are other ways in which society has vulnerate the freedom of this population. Considering this, the speaker mainly uses the phrase "without this" to "reinforce the idea that without equality in the US", which is represented by the lack of rights for the black population "the idea of a free society is a joke" because the speaker mentions society restrains the freedom and liberty of black men, even when slavery has finished.

Answer 2

I would have to with D