William Apess's Speech according to the structure/rhetoric of the sermon (by Carolina Tavares and Inês Rodrigues)

In this essay, Apess makes an accurate portrait of the racism that the Native Americans suffer, whilst using his talent has a preacher to persuade and make his audience think of the unethical ways the Indians are being treated. Several Bible passages are used to support his argument, and also can serve as an introduction to the rhetorical questions made, for example: “The first thing we are to look at, are his precepts, of which we will mention a few. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind, and with all thy strength." The second is like unto it. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” The Biblical text was introduced and then the question was made: “Did you ever hear or read of Christ teaching his disciples that they ought to despise one because his skin was different from theirs? Jesus Christ being a Jew, and those of his Apostles certainly were not whites” (p. 1870).

Apess also uses irony through the whole text, as a resource to point out the ridicule of the situation, and to show the hypocrisy that resides between those who are self-proclaimed Christians, per example: “And if so, can there not be a compromise; is it right to hold and promote prejudices? If not, why not put them all away? I mean here amongst those who are civilized.” (p. 1868). The irony presented is related to the fact that the missionaries are self-proclaimed Christians, but they have still ill-treated Indians, and this is not “Christian” nor civilized behaviour.

This essay (although it was written years ago) is still relatable to modern-day situations, and can even be compared to other important works as: “O Sermão de Santo António aos Peixes” (1654)  by the Portuguese priest António Vieira, due to its similar structure. The structure can be divided in these three/four parts: Exordium, Expositio, Confirmatio (these two accounting for the “development” of the text) and Peroration.

Exordium (Begins in the first paragraph of page 1868 and ends in page 1869, before the first paragraph.) Apess begins his essay by saying his plea is being made not only before the eyes of men, but also, before God, the creator of all things -including the White man and Indians- and this is already a reference to equality. Apess then introduces the audience to the problems that are taking place (similarly to Padre António Vieira, who begins his essay by defining to whom the message is directed and addressing the problems he will develop during his argument). 

Expositio (Begins in the first paragraph of page 1869 and ends in page 1870, before the first paragraph). Apess makes rhetorical questions regarding the problems that are taking place, blaming the White man for his wrong doing, using Biblical passages, references to God (Jehovah) and Jesus, per example: “…it appears ten times worse in the sight of God and candid men, than skins of color—more disgraceful than all the skins that Jehovah ever made. If black or red skins, or any other skin of color is disgraceful to God, it appears that he has disgraced himself a great deal—for he has made fifteen coloured people to one white, and placed them here upon this earth.”(p.1869).

Confirmatio (Begins in the first paragraph of page 1870 and ends in the first paragraph of page 1872). Apess uses the first and second most important commandments of God to confirm the previous statements: “The first thing we are to look at, are his precepts, of which we will mention a few. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind, and with all thy strength." The second is like unto it. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." On these two precepts hang all the law and the prophets…”(p.1870). In these commandments lie the fundamental rules needed to have a good conduct and to please God. In the continuation of the argument, Apess uses these commandments to criticise more elaborately the conduct of the self-proclaimed Christians.

Peroratio (Begins in page 1872 in the second paragraph and ends in the last paragraph of the same page).  Apess tries to make his audience think of their own fault and lack of principles, and refers to some people who support his position, ending his essay with irony by calling the reader “noble-hearted”, asking him to only think of the suffering that the Indians are enduring and God will already reward him for that (a call to action disguised with some irony).