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Motifs
Definition of Pathos
Pathos, along with logos and ethos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective speaking or writing). Pathos is an argument that appeals to... read full definition
Pathos, along with logos and ethos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective speaking or writing). Pathos is... read full definition
Pathos, along with logos and ethos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective... read full definition
Chapter 9
Explanation and Analysis—The Bitter Cup of Slavery:
During one of the most devastating moments of Solomon’s time as an enslaved person—when Tibeats and Chapin leave him to hang by a noose with his feet barely touching the ground for hours—he uses pathos (a persuasive writing device) to appeal to his readers’ emotions:
Never did the sun move so slowly through the heavens—never did it shower down such fervent and fiery rays, as it did that day. […]. Suffice it to say, during the whole long day I came not to the conclusion, even once, that the southern slave, fed, clothed, whipped and protected by his master, is happier than the free colored citizen of the North […] There are many, however, even in the Northern States, benevolent and well-disposed men, who will pronounce my opinion erroneous, and gravely proceed to substantiate the assertion with an argument. Alas! they have never drunk, as I have, from the bitter cup of slavery.
Related Themes:
Chapter 14
Explanation and Analysis—The Violence of Slavery:
After describing how Epps and Marshall (a neighboring wealthy plantation owner) would get into brawls—and how Marshall even killed another white man once with no repercussions—Solomon takes a moment to use pathos to tie that kind of violence to the violence of slavery:
Unlock with LitCharts A+The existence of Slavery in its most cruel form among them, has a tendency to brutalize the humane and finer feelings of their nature. Daily witnesses of human suffering—listening to the agonizing screeches of the slave—beholding him writhing beneath the merciless lash—bitten and torn by dogs—dying without attention, and buried without shroud or coffin—it cannot otherwise be expected, than that they should become brutified and reckless of human life.
Related Themes:
