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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 4: The Old Rugged Cross
Explanation and Analysis—Relentless Hope:
One important motif in the book is relentless hope in the face of despair. Stevenson uses this motif as a form of pathos to convince his readers not to give up on criminal justice reform, as bleak as the picture may look. One moving instance of the motif occurs in Chapter 4, when Herbert Richardson pleads with Stevenson to take his case:
Mr. Stevenson, I’m sorry, but you have to represent me. I don’t need you to tell me that you can stop this execution; I don’t need you to say you can get a stay. But I have twenty-nine days left, and I don’t think I can make it if there is no hope at all. Just say you’ll do something and let me have some hope.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Gracious Survivors:
In Chapter 4, after a discouraging hearing in Herbert Richardson's case, his victim's family approaches Stevenson and asks if he can represent them. The situational irony contributes to a sense of pathos in support of Stevenson's overall argument about the criminal justice system:
Unlock with LitCharts A+The stunned look on my face prompted her to say more. “I know you’re busy. It’s just that we could use the help.” I realized that she’d cautiously offered her hand to me as she spoke, and I held it in mine.
“I’m so very sorry you haven’t received the help you’ve been promised. But I actually represent Herbert Richardson in this case,” I said as gently as I could.
“We know that. I know you might not be able to do anything right now, but when this is over, can you help us?...”
Related Themes:
Chapter 11: I’ll Fly Away
Explanation and Analysis—Relentless Hope:
One important motif in the book is relentless hope in the face of despair. Stevenson uses this motif as a form of pathos to convince his readers not to give up on criminal justice reform, as bleak as the picture may look. One moving instance of the motif occurs in Chapter 4, when Herbert Richardson pleads with Stevenson to take his case:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Mr. Stevenson, I’m sorry, but you have to represent me. I don’t need you to tell me that you can stop this execution; I don’t need you to say you can get a stay. But I have twenty-nine days left, and I don’t think I can make it if there is no hope at all. Just say you’ll do something and let me have some hope.
Related Themes:
Chapter 12: Mother, Mother
Explanation and Analysis—Fantine:
In Chapter 12, Stevenson focuses on incarcerated women. He describes one of them with incredible pathos, bolstered by an allusion:
Unlock with LitCharts A+One of the first incarcerated women I ever met was a young mother who was serving a long prison sentence for writing checks to buy her three young children Christmas gifts without sufficient funds... Like a character in a Victor Hugo novel, she tearfully explained her heartbreaking tale to me. I couldn’t accept the truth of what she was saying until I checked her file and discovered that she had, in fact, been convicted and sentenced to over ten years in prison for writing five checks, including three to Toys“R”Us. None of the checks was for more than $150.
Related Themes:
