Rossi, 1
Michael Rossi
October 14, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Read the section of The Abolition of Man entitled "Men Without Chests." When you have completed it, select two quotations that you think illuminate his main argument in the section. Then, once you have selected the quotations, try to summarize in a single paragraph his main argument in "Men Without Chests." Also, annotate his use of appeals, rhetoric, syntax and diction in the text itself.
Quote 1: “The right defense against false sentiments is to inculcate just sentiments. By starving the sensibility of our pupils we only make them easier prey to the propagandist when he comes. Famished nature will be avenged and a hard heart is no infallible protection against a soft head.
Quote 2: “We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at hour and are shocked to find traitors in our midst” (Lewis, 26).
Lewis remarks upon just how society has become entangled in an ignorant and contradictory snare. Educators, given the pseudonyms Gaius and Titus taught erroneous philosophy in the place of English. Gaius and Titus impose their philosophy of description merely being subject to the speaker and one’s perception merely becomes one’s opinion. Lewis vehemently disagrees and provides a counterexample to his opponents’ assertion: “This is pretty if those words simply described the lady’s feelings, would be absurd: if she had said I feel sick Coleridge would hardly have replied No; I feel quite well” (Lewis, 15). Lewis dubs the teaching not completely deliberate. Lewis claims that our method of inoculating the youth is like not creating an organ, but demanding the function.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Martin Luther King essay
Rossi, 1
Michael Rossi
October 12, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
History In The Making
How is it that a black man in the sixties, who was writing from prison nonetheless, was able to change the hearts and minds of a nation who was comfortable with black repression and unprepared for change? It is so simple and practical to dismiss annoyances that one does not wish to hear. It was not King’s pre-established character that had earned him the ears of his audience, nor his emotional pleas, but the unison of these two things working in harmony to support King’s irrefutable logic. This combination pummeled his points through society’s understanding of black repression. It was not logic understood by only blacks, uneducated logic, or circular logic that aroused America from its complacent slumber. It was universal logic that Christian social teaching and the American Constitution preached. King reminded America that such bold preaching should be boldly enforced. Logic is the crutch that emotion and character support throughout King’s speech.
King initiates his speech by firmly establishing his character: “My dear Fellow Clergymen, while confined here in the Birmingham City Jail, I came across your recent statement calling our present activities ‘unwise and untimely’ […] I would like to answer your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms” (King). Due to King’s status as an inmate it is imperative that he establish his character as a clergyman and an individual of intellect. After doing so, King draws parallels between Jesus Christ and himself as they both needed to preach their earth shaking messages to humanity: “You deplore the demonstrations that are presently taking place in Birmingham. But I am sorry that your statement did not express
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a similar concern for the conditions that brought the demonstrations into being” (King). Kings persuasion lies in the tone in which his argument is being presented. The phrase, I am sorry, has a certain aspect of condescension about it that seems to say; I do not see what is preventing you from seeing the fundamental problem as I do.
After making such a bold critique of the clergymen, King uses further logic to justify his assertions: “There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than any city in this nation. These are the hard, brutal, and unbelievable facts” (King). King’s aggressive word choice paints a vivid picture in one’s mind as they hear the atrocities that King is bringing to the surface. King uses extreme examples of African American mistreatment to fully articulate his point. The white moderate is forced to feel a sense of remorse as the undisguised logic is thrust in front of their face. They feel the sharp pangs of the mistreatment they have caused by inaction.
King’s razor sharp logic cleaves through the paper-thin resistance presented by the white moderate. King uses inversion to supplement his cold hard facts: “The nations of Asia and Africa are moving with jet-like speed toward the goal of political independence and we still creep at horse and buggy pace toward the gaining of a cup of coffee at a lunch counter” (King). United States is considered superior to Asia and Africa in a vast majority of ways. The fact that the United States was behind Asia and Africa in racial justice is a startling embarrassment. How is it that a nation whose diversity was the building block to its existence, is not on par with sections of the world that deal with problems of poverty and starvation?
Through his logic King was able to dramatize extremism and its role within his message. King said, “Jesus Christ. Was an extremist for love, truth, and goodness and thereby rose above
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His environment. So, after all, maybe the South, the nation, and the world are in dire need of creative extremists” (King). This quote is remarkably significant because the comparison to Jesus Christ is a warning. Jesus, who was hated by men during his time, preached a message that begun the entire religion of Christianity. If the men who had tormented Jesus were alive they would be fully aware and fully sorry for the sins they had committed. In the same light, King warns his listeners not to make the same mistake as the Romans made. King is calling them to rise above societies teachings and listen to what is right in their hearts.
King turns his attentions to the church whom had acted as an outright opponent, just as many of the Jews who persecuted Jesus and his followers. King voices his disappointment in the same manner in which he had addressed the clergy earlier: “I have watched white churches stand on the sidelines and merely mouth pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities. […] I have watched so many churches commit themselves to a completely otherworldly religion which made a strange distinction between body and soul, the sacred and the secular” (King). Calling the church out for their pious irrelevancies is no small matter. King is rallying the church to action. Too often in history the church had remained silent and distanced itself from world issues it could have changed. The church remained quiet against Nazi tyranny, American racial injustice as not just a small matter, but an immensely, influential matter that is on the same level as Jesus being ignored and the church ignoring the Nazi movement.
Logic is the crutch that emotion and character support throughout King’s speech. All forms of appeal are derived from logic and cannot stand alone. Crutches by themselves are simple tools that are created to support humans, and are meaningless on their own. In the end it is
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logic that kicks away the crutches of emotion and character and stands on its own as the most persuasive of appeal throughout King’s speech.
Michael Rossi
October 12, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
History In The Making
How is it that a black man in the sixties, who was writing from prison nonetheless, was able to change the hearts and minds of a nation who was comfortable with black repression and unprepared for change? It is so simple and practical to dismiss annoyances that one does not wish to hear. It was not King’s pre-established character that had earned him the ears of his audience, nor his emotional pleas, but the unison of these two things working in harmony to support King’s irrefutable logic. This combination pummeled his points through society’s understanding of black repression. It was not logic understood by only blacks, uneducated logic, or circular logic that aroused America from its complacent slumber. It was universal logic that Christian social teaching and the American Constitution preached. King reminded America that such bold preaching should be boldly enforced. Logic is the crutch that emotion and character support throughout King’s speech.
King initiates his speech by firmly establishing his character: “My dear Fellow Clergymen, while confined here in the Birmingham City Jail, I came across your recent statement calling our present activities ‘unwise and untimely’ […] I would like to answer your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms” (King). Due to King’s status as an inmate it is imperative that he establish his character as a clergyman and an individual of intellect. After doing so, King draws parallels between Jesus Christ and himself as they both needed to preach their earth shaking messages to humanity: “You deplore the demonstrations that are presently taking place in Birmingham. But I am sorry that your statement did not express
Rossi, 2
a similar concern for the conditions that brought the demonstrations into being” (King). Kings persuasion lies in the tone in which his argument is being presented. The phrase, I am sorry, has a certain aspect of condescension about it that seems to say; I do not see what is preventing you from seeing the fundamental problem as I do.
After making such a bold critique of the clergymen, King uses further logic to justify his assertions: “There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than any city in this nation. These are the hard, brutal, and unbelievable facts” (King). King’s aggressive word choice paints a vivid picture in one’s mind as they hear the atrocities that King is bringing to the surface. King uses extreme examples of African American mistreatment to fully articulate his point. The white moderate is forced to feel a sense of remorse as the undisguised logic is thrust in front of their face. They feel the sharp pangs of the mistreatment they have caused by inaction.
King’s razor sharp logic cleaves through the paper-thin resistance presented by the white moderate. King uses inversion to supplement his cold hard facts: “The nations of Asia and Africa are moving with jet-like speed toward the goal of political independence and we still creep at horse and buggy pace toward the gaining of a cup of coffee at a lunch counter” (King). United States is considered superior to Asia and Africa in a vast majority of ways. The fact that the United States was behind Asia and Africa in racial justice is a startling embarrassment. How is it that a nation whose diversity was the building block to its existence, is not on par with sections of the world that deal with problems of poverty and starvation?
Through his logic King was able to dramatize extremism and its role within his message. King said, “Jesus Christ. Was an extremist for love, truth, and goodness and thereby rose above
Rossi, 3
His environment. So, after all, maybe the South, the nation, and the world are in dire need of creative extremists” (King). This quote is remarkably significant because the comparison to Jesus Christ is a warning. Jesus, who was hated by men during his time, preached a message that begun the entire religion of Christianity. If the men who had tormented Jesus were alive they would be fully aware and fully sorry for the sins they had committed. In the same light, King warns his listeners not to make the same mistake as the Romans made. King is calling them to rise above societies teachings and listen to what is right in their hearts.
King turns his attentions to the church whom had acted as an outright opponent, just as many of the Jews who persecuted Jesus and his followers. King voices his disappointment in the same manner in which he had addressed the clergy earlier: “I have watched white churches stand on the sidelines and merely mouth pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities. […] I have watched so many churches commit themselves to a completely otherworldly religion which made a strange distinction between body and soul, the sacred and the secular” (King). Calling the church out for their pious irrelevancies is no small matter. King is rallying the church to action. Too often in history the church had remained silent and distanced itself from world issues it could have changed. The church remained quiet against Nazi tyranny, American racial injustice as not just a small matter, but an immensely, influential matter that is on the same level as Jesus being ignored and the church ignoring the Nazi movement.
Logic is the crutch that emotion and character support throughout King’s speech. All forms of appeal are derived from logic and cannot stand alone. Crutches by themselves are simple tools that are created to support humans, and are meaningless on their own. In the end it is
Rossi, 4
logic that kicks away the crutches of emotion and character and stands on its own as the most persuasive of appeal throughout King’s speech.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Rossi, 1
Michael Rossi
October 6, 2009
Advanced placement English language and composition
Martin Luther King speech analysis.
-Martin Luther King begins with an ethos appeal. Luther speaks of himself and how he cannot respond to every bit of criticism he encounters, “Seldom, if ever, do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas” (King, 738). Luther establishes his character by stating he is a fellow clergyman.
-Luther then moves to an appeal at logos. He states his reasons for being in Birmingham. Luther references injustice and comparers his contribution to that of Paul.
-King speaks of how the clergymen are concerned that he did not have a license. King states that they should be concerned about the fact that a license is required in the first place.
-King speaks of how racial injustice engulfs the community. King backs up these assertions with facts, laced with aggressive words that paint a picture in one’s mind. In order to emphasize King’s statements of injustice he utilizes extreme examples of injustices: “There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than any other city in this nation” (King 739).
-King establishes the character of the demonstrators responsible during the time near his arrest. King was the only man arrested because he was black. King speaks of multiple forms of protest that should be used to throw open the gates to negotiation. The extreme lack of negotiation that
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occurred was greatly emphasized by King: “Too long has our beloved Southland been bogged down in the tragic attempt to live in monologue rather than dialogue” (King, 741).
-King does a phenomenal job pointing out the potential argument his critiques will put forth: “ one of the[…]individuals” (King, 741).
-“Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed” (741).
- King makes a logical comparison asking America what it lacks to take the steps needed to end slavery: “The nations of Asia […] (742).
-King uses more aggressive language to dramatize why blacks cannot simply wait for right treatment: “I guess-our legitimate and unavoidable impatience.
-King attacks the legal system separating just laws from unjust laws.
-King references Thomas Aquinas and Martin Buber, on page 743.
- King applies the just and unjust laws to his personal case of his arrest on page 744.
-King employs more historical evidence to support his logs appeal on page 744.
-King calls upon white moderates to change their ways and not wait: “I had hoped that the white moderate would understand that law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice, and that when they fail to do this they become dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress” (745).
-On page 746 King makes an ethos appeal to his audience. He describes his role as a medium between different kinds of blacks. Those who abdicate violence, those who have become accustomed to segregation, and those who profit from it.
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-“I’m grateful to God that, through the Negro church, the dimension of nonviolence entered our struggle. If this philosophy had not emerged I am convinced that by now many streets of the South would be flowing with floods of blood” (746).
- King glorifies extremism: “was not Jesus an extremist in love?” (747).
- King speaks of how the white church regards the southern issues as mere social issues where the gospel has no relevance on page 749.
Michael Rossi
October 6, 2009
Advanced placement English language and composition
Martin Luther King speech analysis.
-Martin Luther King begins with an ethos appeal. Luther speaks of himself and how he cannot respond to every bit of criticism he encounters, “Seldom, if ever, do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas” (King, 738). Luther establishes his character by stating he is a fellow clergyman.
-Luther then moves to an appeal at logos. He states his reasons for being in Birmingham. Luther references injustice and comparers his contribution to that of Paul.
-King speaks of how the clergymen are concerned that he did not have a license. King states that they should be concerned about the fact that a license is required in the first place.
-King speaks of how racial injustice engulfs the community. King backs up these assertions with facts, laced with aggressive words that paint a picture in one’s mind. In order to emphasize King’s statements of injustice he utilizes extreme examples of injustices: “There have been more unsolved bombings of Negro homes and churches in Birmingham than any other city in this nation” (King 739).
-King establishes the character of the demonstrators responsible during the time near his arrest. King was the only man arrested because he was black. King speaks of multiple forms of protest that should be used to throw open the gates to negotiation. The extreme lack of negotiation that
Rossi, 2
occurred was greatly emphasized by King: “Too long has our beloved Southland been bogged down in the tragic attempt to live in monologue rather than dialogue” (King, 741).
-King does a phenomenal job pointing out the potential argument his critiques will put forth: “ one of the[…]individuals” (King, 741).
-“Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed” (741).
- King makes a logical comparison asking America what it lacks to take the steps needed to end slavery: “The nations of Asia […] (742).
-King uses more aggressive language to dramatize why blacks cannot simply wait for right treatment: “I guess-our legitimate and unavoidable impatience.
-King attacks the legal system separating just laws from unjust laws.
-King references Thomas Aquinas and Martin Buber, on page 743.
- King applies the just and unjust laws to his personal case of his arrest on page 744.
-King employs more historical evidence to support his logs appeal on page 744.
-King calls upon white moderates to change their ways and not wait: “I had hoped that the white moderate would understand that law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice, and that when they fail to do this they become dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress” (745).
-On page 746 King makes an ethos appeal to his audience. He describes his role as a medium between different kinds of blacks. Those who abdicate violence, those who have become accustomed to segregation, and those who profit from it.
-Rossi, 3
-“I’m grateful to God that, through the Negro church, the dimension of nonviolence entered our struggle. If this philosophy had not emerged I am convinced that by now many streets of the South would be flowing with floods of blood” (746).
- King glorifies extremism: “was not Jesus an extremist in love?” (747).
- King speaks of how the white church regards the southern issues as mere social issues where the gospel has no relevance on page 749.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Fallacies
Rossi, 1
Michael Rossi
October 05, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Post one example of each fallacy studied in class:Hasty Generalization, Stereotype, Cause and Effect, Only Cause, False Analogy, Attacking the Person, Either-Or Fallacy, Non-sequitur, Circular Reasoning, Begging the Question.
Hasty Generalization- Mike Fullerton’s hair is unruly. He must be an academic failure.
Stereotype- Black people love fried chicken, cool aide, and watermelon.
Cause and Effect- I ate a pound of Chinese food. As a result, our golf team never won a game.
Only cause- If people stop playing the wii all people will be skinny.
False Analogy- Tim had unrivaled concentration like the men in a Chinese opium den.
Attacking the Person- Mr. George wants everyone to speak in proper English. Of course he does, he is an English fanatic.
Either or Fallacy- Either we have to kill the criminal or torture him.
Non- sequitur- I eat a lot of food. I should not permitted to play spots.
Circular Reasoning- I am very really cool and smart. You should really let me rob your store.
Begging the Question- Everyone agrees Mr. George is a poor teacher.
Michael Rossi
October 05, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Post one example of each fallacy studied in class:Hasty Generalization, Stereotype, Cause and Effect, Only Cause, False Analogy, Attacking the Person, Either-Or Fallacy, Non-sequitur, Circular Reasoning, Begging the Question.
Hasty Generalization- Mike Fullerton’s hair is unruly. He must be an academic failure.
Stereotype- Black people love fried chicken, cool aide, and watermelon.
Cause and Effect- I ate a pound of Chinese food. As a result, our golf team never won a game.
Only cause- If people stop playing the wii all people will be skinny.
False Analogy- Tim had unrivaled concentration like the men in a Chinese opium den.
Attacking the Person- Mr. George wants everyone to speak in proper English. Of course he does, he is an English fanatic.
Either or Fallacy- Either we have to kill the criminal or torture him.
Non- sequitur- I eat a lot of food. I should not permitted to play spots.
Circular Reasoning- I am very really cool and smart. You should really let me rob your store.
Begging the Question- Everyone agrees Mr. George is a poor teacher.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
4 syllogism composition
Rossi, 1
Michael Rossi
October 4, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Compose 4 syllogisms that are true, and four that are false. Describe in one sentence, how each false syllogism is false.
True Syllogisms
1: Soccer players have the Trinity Catholic soccer jerseys. Daryl Thomas has a Trinity Catholic soccer jersey. Daryl Thomas is a soccer player.
2: Harry cannot read books. The Little Red Riding Hood is a book. Harry cannot read the Little Red Riding Hood.
3: Human beings do not have wings. Scott Pero is a human being. Scott Pero does not have wings.
4: Fish cannot fly. A salmon is a fish. Salmon cannot fly.
False Syllogisms
1: A. Red Bull gives you wings. Dante drinks Red Bull. Dante has wings.
B. The syllogism is false because the expression, Red Bull gives you wings is an exaggeration, used to express the amount of energy one gains from drinking Red Bull. There the conclusion is erroneous as it is based off a false premise.
2: A. World leaders are moral people. Hitler was a world leader. Hitler was a moral person.
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B. The syllogism is false because world leaders are not always moral people. Hitler was a world leader and he was amoral.
3. A. Cars have four wheels. A wheel barrel has four wheels. A wheel barrel is a car.
B. The syllogism is false because many things besides cars have four wheels. Just because a wheel barrel has four wheels does not mean it is a car.
4. A. Humans have two eyes. An eagle has two eyes. An eagle is human.
B. The syllogism is false because other creatures besides humans have two eyes. Eagles are not human.
5. A. Mr. George reads books. Mr. reads street signs. Street signs are books.
B: The syllogism is false because Mr. George reads other writings that are not necessarily books. A street sign is not a book.
Michael Rossi
October 4, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Compose 4 syllogisms that are true, and four that are false. Describe in one sentence, how each false syllogism is false.
True Syllogisms
1: Soccer players have the Trinity Catholic soccer jerseys. Daryl Thomas has a Trinity Catholic soccer jersey. Daryl Thomas is a soccer player.
2: Harry cannot read books. The Little Red Riding Hood is a book. Harry cannot read the Little Red Riding Hood.
3: Human beings do not have wings. Scott Pero is a human being. Scott Pero does not have wings.
4: Fish cannot fly. A salmon is a fish. Salmon cannot fly.
False Syllogisms
1: A. Red Bull gives you wings. Dante drinks Red Bull. Dante has wings.
B. The syllogism is false because the expression, Red Bull gives you wings is an exaggeration, used to express the amount of energy one gains from drinking Red Bull. There the conclusion is erroneous as it is based off a false premise.
2: A. World leaders are moral people. Hitler was a world leader. Hitler was a moral person.
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B. The syllogism is false because world leaders are not always moral people. Hitler was a world leader and he was amoral.
3. A. Cars have four wheels. A wheel barrel has four wheels. A wheel barrel is a car.
B. The syllogism is false because many things besides cars have four wheels. Just because a wheel barrel has four wheels does not mean it is a car.
4. A. Humans have two eyes. An eagle has two eyes. An eagle is human.
B. The syllogism is false because other creatures besides humans have two eyes. Eagles are not human.
5. A. Mr. George reads books. Mr. reads street signs. Street signs are books.
B: The syllogism is false because Mr. George reads other writings that are not necessarily books. A street sign is not a book.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
creat your own proposal
Rossi, 1
Michael Rossi
September 30, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition/ Mr. George
Compose your own proposal. Should be no less than a full page and no more than 3 pages. You must incorporate all three forms of persuasion, and demonstrate which you are using by keeping logic in standard font, character in bold, and emotion in italics. The entire text does not need to be one of these three, but I want to make sure you know which appeals you are using.
Love is quite the word. It always scared me to say. To me it means I’m ready to marry you. Everyone used to use it all the time with no thought and it bothered me. It scared me not because I didn’t know how I felt but, because I always thought that there would be something I did not love about the woman and it would bug me until I ended the relationship. Eventually I learned that love wasn’t about finding the perfect person, but the person who is perfect for you. You are perfect for anyone in the world.
I love the way you would know I was home for the afternoon after I put everything the exact way it was before I left it. I love the way you smile when I play the guitar even if I screw up. I love the way you ignore what I’m saying and push my thoughts away with your lips. I love the way you fall asleep while the television is on. I love the way you try to make me laugh when I’m on the phone. I love the passion of your jealousy when you suspect that my eyes may wander.
You do make a few things a hassle for me that I hate dealing with. I hate the way I can’t clean the apartment perfectly before I leave and restore you sanctuary. I hate the way my nerves stiffen my fingers so I can’t show how much I love you with a chord. I hate the way I ramble and burden you with the details of my day. I hate the way I forget to turn off the television when I notice the entirety of your day carrying you off to sleep. I hate the way I try to resist laughing at your heavenly sense of humor. I hate the thoughts of you ever being anywhere but with me. I hate the way I don’t know the words to tell you that you mean the world to me. And I hate torment of knowing that you could have anyone in the
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whole damn world if you wanted. I hate the fact that you have to put up with me and my stupidity (I kneel down and take out a ring). Could you put up with me for the rest of your life?
Michael Rossi
September 30, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition/ Mr. George
Compose your own proposal. Should be no less than a full page and no more than 3 pages. You must incorporate all three forms of persuasion, and demonstrate which you are using by keeping logic in standard font, character in bold, and emotion in italics. The entire text does not need to be one of these three, but I want to make sure you know which appeals you are using.
Love is quite the word. It always scared me to say. To me it means I’m ready to marry you. Everyone used to use it all the time with no thought and it bothered me. It scared me not because I didn’t know how I felt but, because I always thought that there would be something I did not love about the woman and it would bug me until I ended the relationship. Eventually I learned that love wasn’t about finding the perfect person, but the person who is perfect for you. You are perfect for anyone in the world.
I love the way you would know I was home for the afternoon after I put everything the exact way it was before I left it. I love the way you smile when I play the guitar even if I screw up. I love the way you ignore what I’m saying and push my thoughts away with your lips. I love the way you fall asleep while the television is on. I love the way you try to make me laugh when I’m on the phone. I love the passion of your jealousy when you suspect that my eyes may wander.
You do make a few things a hassle for me that I hate dealing with. I hate the way I can’t clean the apartment perfectly before I leave and restore you sanctuary. I hate the way my nerves stiffen my fingers so I can’t show how much I love you with a chord. I hate the way I ramble and burden you with the details of my day. I hate the way I forget to turn off the television when I notice the entirety of your day carrying you off to sleep. I hate the way I try to resist laughing at your heavenly sense of humor. I hate the thoughts of you ever being anywhere but with me. I hate the way I don’t know the words to tell you that you mean the world to me. And I hate torment of knowing that you could have anyone in the
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whole damn world if you wanted. I hate the fact that you have to put up with me and my stupidity (I kneel down and take out a ring). Could you put up with me for the rest of your life?
Monday, September 28, 2009
Pride and Prejudice excerpt analysis
Rossi, 1
Michael Rossi
September 28, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Analyze Mr. Collins proposal looking for examples of the appeals that he uses. Explain clearly why his appeals are ineffective and how he could have improved his proposal. I'd like you to have a one sentence thesis as your introduction, followed by at least two body paragraphs citing examples from the text. Focus on his diction and syntax in analyzing the appeals. Cite the text. The author is Jane Austen, and don't bother about page numbers.
Throughout the excerpt Mr. Collins verbalizes three types of crass appeal to win the heart of Elizabeth: Logic (logos), Pathos (emotional), and Ethos (character).
The first jab at romantic appeal Mr. Collins employs is one of logic. In the vast majority of speech and forms of literature, logic is the basis on which arguments are founded and support character and emotional appeal. Mr. Collins attempts to make Elizabeth understand the reasoning for his desire to marry her. His explanation exudes an unforgivable tone of condescension and only works against him: “”My reasons for marrying are, first that I think it a right for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish. Secondly, that I am convinced it will add very greatly to my happiness; and thirdly—which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honor of calling patroness’” (Austin). This type of speech immediately breaks any potential positive reception because Mr. Collins’ wishes to wed are based on selfishness and the approval of a friend whose opinion matters more to Mr. Collins than that of the woman he wishes to marry. Mr. Collins logic shows that he will put himself before his wife and does not know how to treat a woman or even acknowledge the fact that his entire argument’s goal should be Elizabeth’s answer.
Based off a unique set of logic Mr. Collins attempts to change Elizabeth’s utter rejection by referencing characteristic points that only emphasize his arrogance and inability to understand
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a member of the opposite sex. Mr. Collins asserts his said qualities when he makes crude remarks upon the stern rejection Elizabeth had given him: “because I know it to be the establish custom of your sex to reject a man on the first application, and perhaps you have even now said as much to encourage my suit as would be consistent with the delicacy of the female character” (Austin). Not only does the argument lose steam for its insensitivity but it also defeats the purpose of Mr. Collins attempting to convince Elizabeth of anything. If her answer truly does not matter then why should he waste his time asking her?
Lastly Mr. Collins’ attempt at an emotional appeal was an insensitive faux pas. Mr. Collins states that he will open up to Elizabeth about his affection only to not follow through: “And now nothing remains for me but to assure you in the most animated language of the violence of my affection” (Austen). This, violent affection, is never displayed. In its stead Collins speaks coldly of fortune and inheritance emphasizing his absent mindedness and inability to elaborate on something he so boldly declared he would.
Michael Rossi
September 28, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Analyze Mr. Collins proposal looking for examples of the appeals that he uses. Explain clearly why his appeals are ineffective and how he could have improved his proposal. I'd like you to have a one sentence thesis as your introduction, followed by at least two body paragraphs citing examples from the text. Focus on his diction and syntax in analyzing the appeals. Cite the text. The author is Jane Austen, and don't bother about page numbers.
Throughout the excerpt Mr. Collins verbalizes three types of crass appeal to win the heart of Elizabeth: Logic (logos), Pathos (emotional), and Ethos (character).
The first jab at romantic appeal Mr. Collins employs is one of logic. In the vast majority of speech and forms of literature, logic is the basis on which arguments are founded and support character and emotional appeal. Mr. Collins attempts to make Elizabeth understand the reasoning for his desire to marry her. His explanation exudes an unforgivable tone of condescension and only works against him: “”My reasons for marrying are, first that I think it a right for every clergyman in easy circumstances (like myself) to set the example of matrimony in his parish. Secondly, that I am convinced it will add very greatly to my happiness; and thirdly—which perhaps I ought to have mentioned earlier, that it is the particular advice and recommendation of the very noble lady whom I have the honor of calling patroness’” (Austin). This type of speech immediately breaks any potential positive reception because Mr. Collins’ wishes to wed are based on selfishness and the approval of a friend whose opinion matters more to Mr. Collins than that of the woman he wishes to marry. Mr. Collins logic shows that he will put himself before his wife and does not know how to treat a woman or even acknowledge the fact that his entire argument’s goal should be Elizabeth’s answer.
Based off a unique set of logic Mr. Collins attempts to change Elizabeth’s utter rejection by referencing characteristic points that only emphasize his arrogance and inability to understand
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a member of the opposite sex. Mr. Collins asserts his said qualities when he makes crude remarks upon the stern rejection Elizabeth had given him: “because I know it to be the establish custom of your sex to reject a man on the first application, and perhaps you have even now said as much to encourage my suit as would be consistent with the delicacy of the female character” (Austin). Not only does the argument lose steam for its insensitivity but it also defeats the purpose of Mr. Collins attempting to convince Elizabeth of anything. If her answer truly does not matter then why should he waste his time asking her?
Lastly Mr. Collins’ attempt at an emotional appeal was an insensitive faux pas. Mr. Collins states that he will open up to Elizabeth about his affection only to not follow through: “And now nothing remains for me but to assure you in the most animated language of the violence of my affection” (Austen). This, violent affection, is never displayed. In its stead Collins speaks coldly of fortune and inheritance emphasizing his absent mindedness and inability to elaborate on something he so boldly declared he would.
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