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Allusions
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
Chapter 8
Explanation and Analysis—Weight of Her Name:
As matriarch of the Buendía family and one of the founding members of Macondo, Úrsula wields the rhetorical tool of ethos in her attempt to convince the revolutionary tribunal to spare the life of General Moncada, interim leader of the city during a period of the Civil War:
Úrsula was the last in line. Her gloomy dignity, the weight of her name, the convincing vehemence of her declaration made the scale of justice hesitate for a moment. “You have taken this horrible game very seriously and you have done well because you are doing your duty,” she told the members of the court. “But don’t forget that as long as God gives us life we will still be mothers and no matter how revolutionary you may be, we have the right to pull down your pants and give you a whipping at the first sign of disrespect.”
Úrsula brings several of the other women who helped to found the town with her, hoping to use their collective influence to save Moncada. The narration here emphasizes the sense of authority imbued in Úrsula due to her “gloomy dignity” and “the weight of her name.” Instead of attempting to appeal to the emotions of the tribunal members, or making a legal argument for clemency, Úrsula uses ethos, noting that, as mothers, she and the other assembled women “have the right” to inflict corporal punishment on the men to whom they gave birth. Though the members of the tribunal are intimidated by Úrsula’s authority, they nevertheless follow their orders to carry out the execution.
