Question

read the excerpt from \what the black man wants.\

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 paragraphs argument?

it proposes that slavery will not be abolished in the us without the support of all citizens.

it suggests that a free society is possible, with or without equal rights for all people.

it indicates that douglass would be content without material possessions or status.

it reinforces the idea that without equality in the us, the idea of a free society is a joke.

Explanation:

1. Analyze each option:

• First option: The excerpt is about Black man's enfranchisement, not slavery abolition with all citizens' support. Eliminate.
• Second option: The text argues that without equal rights (enfranchisement), liberty is a mockery, so a free society isn't possible without equal rights. This option says free society is possible with or without equal rights, which contradicts the excerpt. Eliminate.
• Third option: The excerpt focuses on rights and liberty, not material possessions or status. Eliminate.
• Fourth option: The repetition of "without this" (enfranchisement) emphasizes that without equal rights, liberty is a mockery (a joke), matching the excerpt's argument.

Answer:

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