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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 2
Explanation and Analysis—Lauren's Evidence:
Even while writing in her journal, Lauren employs persuasive writing via ethos. To bolster her credibility as the writer of scriptures for a new religion, she employs allusions to the Bible and other religions in order to showcase her expertise. In the following passage from Chapter 2, for example, Lauren cites the Book of Job and Zeus from Greek mythology:
My favorite book of the Bible is Job. I think it says more about my father's God in particular and gods in general than anything else I've ever read [...] God sounds a lot like Zeus [...] Maybe God is a kind of big kid.
Lauren uses the image of God from the Book of Job to support her argument that the Christian God is akin to a "big kid," doing whatever he wants without reason. She does this to justify Earthseed and offer an alternative image of God that might be more pleasing to her reader. Lauren uses allusion to supply evidence for her overall skepticism of Christianity, making her opinion appear more well-informed.
The following passage from Chapter 3 is another example of ethos and allusion. After Mrs. Sims' suicide, Lauren becomes increasingly skeptical of a Christian God. Rather than attributing all the changes in her life and environment to a personified "God," she sees change as certain:
Everyone knows that change is inevitable. From the second law of thermodynamics to Darwinian evolution, from Buddhism's insistence that nothing is permanent and all suffering results from our delusions of permanence to the third chapter of Ecclesiastes... change is part of life, of existence, of the common wisdom.
Lauren cites both scientific fact to religious doctrine as evidence to her claim that "change is inevitable." By relying on diverse sources for her evidence, Lauren becomes more persuasive. Ultimately, Lauren's ability to write persuasively proves crucial in her ability to later convert people to Earthseed.
Related Themes:
Chapter 3
Explanation and Analysis—Lauren's Evidence:
Even while writing in her journal, Lauren employs persuasive writing via ethos. To bolster her credibility as the writer of scriptures for a new religion, she employs allusions to the Bible and other religions in order to showcase her expertise. In the following passage from Chapter 2, for example, Lauren cites the Book of Job and Zeus from Greek mythology:
My favorite book of the Bible is Job. I think it says more about my father's God in particular and gods in general than anything else I've ever read [...] God sounds a lot like Zeus [...] Maybe God is a kind of big kid.
Lauren uses the image of God from the Book of Job to support her argument that the Christian God is akin to a "big kid," doing whatever he wants without reason. She does this to justify Earthseed and offer an alternative image of God that might be more pleasing to her reader. Lauren uses allusion to supply evidence for her overall skepticism of Christianity, making her opinion appear more well-informed.
The following passage from Chapter 3 is another example of ethos and allusion. After Mrs. Sims' suicide, Lauren becomes increasingly skeptical of a Christian God. Rather than attributing all the changes in her life and environment to a personified "God," she sees change as certain:
Everyone knows that change is inevitable. From the second law of thermodynamics to Darwinian evolution, from Buddhism's insistence that nothing is permanent and all suffering results from our delusions of permanence to the third chapter of Ecclesiastes... change is part of life, of existence, of the common wisdom.
Lauren cites both scientific fact to religious doctrine as evidence to her claim that "change is inevitable." By relying on diverse sources for her evidence, Lauren becomes more persuasive. Ultimately, Lauren's ability to write persuasively proves crucial in her ability to later convert people to Earthseed.
Related Themes:
