Question

What is the impact of Jefferson's use of multiple abstract nouns (e.g., Nature's God, Happiness, Government) in the first two paragraphs of a document?

a) Jefferson's use of abstract nouns personifies the concepts and gives the reader a stronger connection to his ideas.

b) The abstract nouns elevate what Jefferson is writing to general, universal statements.

c) Jefferson's use of multiple abstract nouns is not rhetorically significant since it simply represents the style of educated 18th-century writers.

d) Jefferson's choice of abstract nouns softens his claims and prepares his readers for his later, stronger arguments.

Answer 1

Jefferson's use of abstract nouns in the Declaration of Independence elevates his writing to universal principles, aligning with Locke's theories on natural rights and applied to all humans, despite contradictions with the practice of slavery.

Step-by-step explanation:

The impact of Jefferson's use of multiple abstract nouns in the first two paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence, such as Nature's God, Happiness, and Government, is that they elevate what Jefferson is writing to general, universal statements (option b). This usage aligns with the theories of John Locke regarding natural rights and the social contract, indicating that these rights - life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness - apply to all humankind, even though Jefferson himself recognized the contradiction in these principles given the existence of slavery.

Despite the utilization of language with anti-slavery overtones, challenges in reconciling his views on natural rights with the prevailing practice of slavery led to the omission of more direct criticisms of the institution from the final document.

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