Previous
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 29
Explanation and Analysis—Religion vs. Philosophy:
The 29th chapter consists of a sermon in which Dr. Primrose lays out the differences between philosophy and religion. Over the course of the sermon, Dr. Primrose combines logos, ethos, and pathos to convince his audience of his points:
To us then, my friends, the promises of happiness in heaven should be peculiarly dear; for if our reward be in this life alone, we are then indeed of all men the most miserable. When I look round these gloomy walls, made to terrify, as well as to confine us; this light that only serves to shew the horrors of the place, those shackles that tyranny has imposed, or crime made necessary; when I survey these emaciated looks, and hear those groans, O my friends, what a glorious exchange would heaven be for these.
In this excerpt, his use of the word "then" signals that he is articulating a conclusion based on what he has laid out until this point. This indicates that Dr. Primrose relies on logos in his sermon. Ethos can be located in his certain, authoritative tone. As a vicar, Dr. Primrose wants to be seen as fount of knowledge when it comes to questions concerning religion and the afterlife. He reinforces his authority when he invokes heaven and his trustworthiness when he uses the first-person plural ("us" and "we"). He may be a figure of authority, but he is nevertheless one of the prisoners. Dr. Primrose employs pathos when he describes the prison's gloomy environment as well as the emaciated looks and groans of his fellow inmates. This appeal to his audience's emotions reaches a climax at the end of the sermon, when he reminds them that "we shall soon lay down the heavy burthen laid by heaven upon us" and that "the time will certainly and shortly come [...] when our bliss shall be unutterable."
After the dramatic turn of events in the previous chapter, Dr. Primrose's sermon offers the reader insight into his state of mind. Although he is dejected, he remains strong. To convince the prisoners, his family, and perhaps most of all himself that all will turn out well for those who are miserable in life, Dr. Primrose makes use of ethos, pathos, and logos.
Related Themes:
