This article was written by Vidal Gore to inform the Christian world on the importance of subscribi9ng to only one supreme being. In doing this, he used a lot of rhetoric aimed at helping him to deliver this insightful knowledge to the believers.
Rhetoric is the art of writing that helps the writer of a speaker to improve their communication in the pursuit of persuading, enlightening or motivating the audience about an issue at hand (David M., 2004),Surname
In this peace, Gore uses a combination of alliteration, euphemism, assonance, rhetorical questions, repetition, metaphor, just to mention, but a few. These are used in the following ways;
i) Alliosis
This is an act of manipulating words in order to give an almost contrasting information that puts the reader in a balance of what the information is really about. It leaves the reader in a dilemma that needs some choice.
Gore used it when he writes:
It’s very easy to discuss what has gone wrong with us. It’s not easy to discuss what should be done to correct what should be done to correct what has gone wrong.
This helps the reader in understanding the complexities in the piece and gives them freedom to make right decision on the way forward.
ii) Alliteration
This is the repetition of similar consonants at the beginning of different words in the same sentence. This is done to create some rhythm and uniformity. In this article, it is used in these sections:
There; to; that; to
Subjects; serious
Race; religion
This was used to make the article more attractive and interesting to the readers. It also helps to show the the writer’s expertise in the way he puts across his ideas. This is actually paramount in making a good rapport between the author, the readers and the article itself.
iii) Assonance
This the process of using similar vowel sound at the beginning of different words in the same sentence of an a literary piece. It is also used to make the article more interesting by creating a more appealing rhythm.
This is how Gore made the use of this important devise:
We, becoming, the, the
Century; we; been; breeding
Now; slow; for
Every; treat; years
Wrong; now; not
iv) Rhetorical question
This refers to the asking of a question whose answer is clearly known by the writer. Gore, used it when he wrote:
So, is isn’t time to discuss what we all really think about our social and economic arrangements?
I think, Gore was asking this query in order to make the readers more attentive by drawing their attention to main theme of the article.
Christianity and The Survival of Creation
Wendell Berry uses this article to enlighten the entire Christian community on the various matters of concern. That the church should strive to address at all times. In doing this, Berry uses all the tactics possible to retain the readers as much as he can. This is made possible through the use of many rhetoric devices like alliteration, euphemism, assonance, rhetorical questions, apposition, hyperbole and many others.
Hence, as a well informed reader, I can identify the following figures:
i) Alliteration
Alliteration, as already explained, is the repeating of the same consonant at the beginning of different swords in the same sentence. Berry used it when he mentions;
Christianity; Christianity; correct; clichés; conservation
Conservationist; Christianity; come; cultural
These ones were used to make the article more interesting and glue the reader to it throughout the reading process. This definitely ensures that it widens the scope of the intended audience.
ii) Assonance
Assonance, as explained in the previous section, simply means the use of similar vowels at the beginning of different words in the same sentence(Jimmie, M., 2005). It was widely used by Berry nearly in all the sections in this article notably in these areas:
Because; be; adequate; the; descend
We; the; he; be; he; pleasure; despite; reduction.
This actually, helped to glue the writer and the readers together as they aspired to get all that he was intending to deliver to them. Hence, the main theme of the article could reach them with less constraints.
iii) Euphemism
This is the use of a more friendly and humble word to help in presenting a case that might need a more rude language to speak out. I think, it is very instrumental in strengthening the bond between the reader and the writer. It helps to tame their attitudes . this is because they have different emotions which must be treated with a lot of caution. In this article, Berry uses this devise when he says:
The complicity of Christian priests, preachers, and missionaries in the cultural destruction and the economic exploitation of the primary peoples of the Western. Hemisphere as well as of traditional cultures around the world, is notorious.
Even if it may not be perceived well in the eyes of the public, Berry tries to portray the contribution of the church minister with a lot of caution not to offend any of the offended parties. This helps to make the article to capture all sorts of readers.
iv) Rhetorical question
This is used when Berry deliberately asks;
how much less this house that I have builded?
This is aimed at creating an emphasis on the subject matter by drawing the readers curiosity to the subject matter.
David M. (2004), Pentateuchal Rhetoric and the Voice of the Aaronides, in Carol S. Lipson &Roberta A. Binkley, Rhetoric before and beyond the Greeks, State University of New York Press,
Jimmie, M.(2005) Appeals in modern Rhetoric: An ordinary language Approach. New York: SIU Press.
