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
Key Examples in Notes from Underground
Part 2, Chapter 7
Explanation and Analysis—Appeal to Liza:
In Part 2, Chapter 7, The Underground Man argues that Liza is ruining her life by engaging in sex work, appealing to her emotions through pathos to convince her to give it up. His speech spans pages, showing an outburst of the erratic train of thought that the reader has been privy to the entire time. He insults her sense of self and occupation, saying that she is losing her worth because she is a sex worker:
"What are you giving up here? What are you enslaving? Why, you’re enslaving your soul, something you don’t really own, together with your body! You’re giving away your love to be defiled by any drunkard! Love! After all, that’s all there is!"