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Irony
Definition of Logos
Logos, along with ethos and pathos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective speaking or writing). Logos is an argument that appeals to... read full definition
Logos, along with ethos and pathos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective speaking or writing). Logos is... read full definition
Logos, along with ethos and pathos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective... read full definition
Chapter 9
Explanation and Analysis—Wargrave's Logic:
A skilled judge, Judge Wargrave assumes a position of authority over the group at various points of the novel, using logos to force them to confront the reality of their situation. His use of logos is evident when he reasons that the murderer must be one of the guests at the house, to the shock of Vera:
“Oh, no, no, no….” It was Vera who burst out—almost in a moan.
The judge turned a keen eye on her. He said: “My dear young lady, this is no time for refusing to look facts in the face. We are all in grave danger. One of us is U. N. Owen. And we do not know which of us. Of the ten people who came to this island three are definitely cleared. Anthony Marston, Mrs. Rogers, and General Macarthur have gone beyond suspicion. There are seven of us left [...] ” He paused and looked round. “Do I take it that you all agree?”
At first, Vera refuses to accept that one of the guests is a murderer, believing instead that the killer is an intruder. Judge Wargrave, however, uses logos to support his argument, suggesting that they must “look facts in the face” due to the “grave danger” of their situation. He deduces that, as there is nowhere for an intruder to hide on the island, the murderer must be among the guests, further reasoning that only those who have already died have been “definitely cleared” of suspicion. His employment of logos here and elsewhere reflects his status as an experienced legal professional who must establish the facts of a case quickly.
Related Themes:
