Rhetorical Analysis Of Non-Violence

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Peter Lee Ms. Caravaggio ENG 4U1 9 October 2015 Rhetorical Analysis of “Non-Violence” Mahatma Gandhi initially was not a type of a leader who supported non-violence and peace. In fact, he has fought for the British army for several years. As a result, he realizes that British army is too powerful for Indians to contest independence with violence, which enlightens him that non-violence is the only way for Indians to be free from Britain. In the “Non-Violence” speech that Gandhi makes in 1919, he proclaims his ideas on what Indians should do in order to lead India into its independence. Throughout his speech, he uses imageries to support his belief that non-violence is a powerful tool and a great warrior. Gandhi uses several anecdote throughout …show more content…

To illustrate how powerful non-violence is, he uses juxtaposition and places two contrasting words side by side. When he states, “But I believe that non-violence is infinitely superior to violence, forgiveness is more manly than punishment, forgiveness adorns a soldier.”, the contrasting ideas in this statement, resonate his powerful message that non-violence is not to be misunderstood as inferior and less manly. Gandhi provides a contrasting analogy on how strong non-violence is to clearly state his message, and compares India to a mouse that is hurt by the cat, Britain. He says “A mouse hardly forgives a cat when it allows itself to be torn to pieces by her.” The two animals, a mouse and a cat are juxtaposed to vividly portray that India does not forget the violent things Britain did and it will do anything in its power to defend itself. To remind his audience that non-violence is for India’s own benefit, Gandhi states a clear definition of non-violence using contrasting sentences. He says “It does not mean meek submission to the will of the evil-doer, but it means the pitting of one’s whole soul against the will of the tyrant.” By stating that he practices non-violence not because he is scared of Britain, but because it is the most effective and powerful way to fight against Britain, Gandhi makes his idea even …show more content…

It comes from an indomitable will (Makes his message even more powerful, he uses short declarative sentences, and passive, not

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