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Paradox
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 16
Explanation and Analysis—Mister God:
In Chapter 16, Richard walks through the South Side of Chicago and encounters a Black communist attempting to convince an impromptu audience that God does not exist. Citing the man's use of pathos, Richard can tell the speech is not going very well:
At times their speeches, glowing with rebellion, were downright offensive to lowly, hungry Negroes. Once a Negro Communist speaker, inveighing against religion, said:
"There ain't no goddamn God! If there is, I hereby challenge Him to strike me dead!"
He paused dramatically before his vast black audience for God to act, but God declined. He then pulled out his watch.
"Maybe God didn't hear me!" he yelled. "I'll give Him two more minutes!" Then, with sarcasm: "Mister God, kill me!"
He waited, looking mockingly at his watch. The audience laughed uneasily.
Many communist ideologies, especially those in Russia and China, were broadly areligious, interpreting the advancement of the proletariat as the absolute goal of society, superseding any other human construction, including religion. The speaker is arguing with this idea in mind, but Black people in the United States in the early 20th century were almost universally religious (as shown in many of Richard's family members earlier in the memoir).
The speaker tries to drum up an emotional response in his audience, a group of "lowly, hungry" people gathered around. In other words, the speaker uses pathos to rhetorically convince his audience. This use of pathos is unusual, as the speaker aims to make his audience feel hurt and confused by undermining their religious beliefs. The speaker also makes a mockery of God, which is also a use of pathos. He attempts to make his audience feel bad for, of all beings, God himself. Richard understands, as does the reader, that this is not very good rhetoric, and unlikely to convince anyone. This odd attempt at pathos is one factor in Richard's growing skepticism about the Communist Party in Part II.
Related Themes:
