Ethos
Gulliver's Travels
by Jonathan Swift

Gulliver's Travels: Ethos 1 key example

Definition of Ethos

Ethos, along with logos and pathos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective speaking or writing). Ethos is an argument that appeals to... read full definition
Ethos, along with logos and pathos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective speaking or writing). Ethos is... read full definition
Ethos, along with logos and pathos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective... read full definition

Key Examples in Gulliver's Travels

Preface 1: “The Publisher to the Reader”
Explanation and Analysis—Verisimilitude:

Throughout Gulliver's Travels, Jonathan Swift uses ethos to convince the reader that the novel is a work of non-fiction.

In Preface 1: "The Publisher to the Reader," the publisher Richard Sympson refers to Gulliver as a real person and also vouches for his character:

[T]he author was so distinguished for his Veracity, that it became a sort of Proverb among his Neighbours at Redriff, when anyone affirmed a Thing, to say, it was as true as if Mr. Gulliver had spoke it.

Preface 2: “A Letter from Captain Gulliver to his Cousin Sympson”
Explanation and Analysis—Verisimilitude:

Throughout Gulliver's Travels, Jonathan Swift uses ethos to convince the reader that the novel is a work of non-fiction.

In Preface 1: "The Publisher to the Reader," the publisher Richard Sympson refers to Gulliver as a real person and also vouches for his character:

[T]he author was so distinguished for his Veracity, that it became a sort of Proverb among his Neighbours at Redriff, when anyone affirmed a Thing, to say, it was as true as if Mr. Gulliver had spoke it.

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Book 1, Chapter 2
Explanation and Analysis—Verisimilitude:

Throughout Gulliver's Travels, Jonathan Swift uses ethos to convince the reader that the novel is a work of non-fiction.

In Preface 1: "The Publisher to the Reader," the publisher Richard Sympson refers to Gulliver as a real person and also vouches for his character:

[T]he author was so distinguished for his Veracity, that it became a sort of Proverb among his Neighbours at Redriff, when anyone affirmed a Thing, to say, it was as true as if Mr. Gulliver had spoke it.

Unlock with LitCharts A+