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Motifs
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 3
Explanation and Analysis—Frustration:
In Chapter 3, Helen uses pathos to describe her desire to express herself (and the subsequent frustration at being unable to do so):
Meanwhile, the desire to express myself grew. The few signs I used became less and less adequate, and my failures to make myself understood were invariably followed by outbursts of passion. I felt as if invisible hands were holding me, and I made frantic efforts to free myself. I struggled — not that struggling helped matters, but the spirit of resistance was strong within me; I generally broke down in tears and physical exhaustion[...] After awhile the need of some means of communication became so urgent that these outbursts occurred daily, sometimes hourly.
Pathos appears here not as part of an argument but rather as a rhetorical device to explain and rationalize young Helen's behavior. By explaining her emotional exhaustion and describing the "spirit of resistance" within her, she conveys the difficulty of growing up without sight or hearing. She wanted to communicate so desperately that when she found herself unable to do so, she'd have an "outburst of passion." The contrast between her growing desire to communicate and her shrinking ability to do so, as well as words like "frantic," "struggled," and "exhaustion," all evoke the emotional toll of the situation. The increasing frequency of her tantrums put great strain on her family, but given the emotional trauma caused by not being able to express herself, her behavior makes perfect sense. Later in the story, as she learns to communicate, she grows up into a levelheaded and excellent communicator. Early examples of her hot temper are explained and justified by pathos-filled passages that garner the reader's sympathy and understanding.
Related Themes:
