essay 1

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Recommended: Aristotle rhetorical analysis

John Brown’s address to the West Virginia Court took place on November 2, 1859. When the judge asked if he had any last words to say, he got up from the cot he was laying in, and gave a remarkable speech. All he desired to do was to bring more slaves to Canada. However, because of his actions, he was arrested. He was on trial because he was found guilty of, “murder, treason, and destruction of property, or to excite or incite slaves to rebellion, or to make insurrection,” and sentenced to be hung (Brown, 1998/1859). Using neo-Aristotelian criticism, I will examine the context in which the speech was presented by applying a few of the canons of rhetoric of John Brown. Brown used the means of persuasion to persuade his audience that he was innocent.

I will now examine Brown’s speech by applying the five canons of rhetoric. I will show how Brown used invention, organization, and style that were effective for his audience.

Invention
Brown uses a few artistic proof of pathos to help generate certain emotions in the audience. He invokes emotions of empathy and sympathy of the American society towards slavery. “In the first place, I deny everything but what I have all along admitted, -- the design on my part to free slaves… I designed to do the same thing again, on a larger scale. That was all I intended. I never did intend murder, or treason, or the destruction of property, or to excite or incite slaves to rebellion, or to make insurrection” (Brown, 1998/1859). The following passage is used to portray how Brown was thinking about the bigger picture, which was to free slaves, and did not intend to commit other crimes listed.
“That teaches me that all things whatsoever I would that men should do to me, I should do even so to them...

... middle of paper ...

... unjust enactments” is a triad that insists of a list of three (Brown, 1998/1859). “I feel entirely satisfied with the treatment I have received on my trial. Considering all the circumstances, it has been more generous than I expected. I feel no consciousness of my guilt. I have stated from the first what was my intention, and what was not.” This passage shows the parallel structure of clauses of “I feel” and “I have” (Brown, 1998/1859).

Assessment of Effects
Brown did a brilliant job when he gave his speech. He starts off by explaining what he had done wrong and then tells the court why he thinks his suffrage is unjust. Brown even references the word of God and how men should treat others. However, it did not change his future of being innocent. No matter what he stated, the court will still stick to what they want and that is to keep the slaves where they are.

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