Preview

A Rhetorical Analysis Of Katherine Brush's 'Birthday Party'

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
624 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
A Rhetorical Analysis Of Katherine Brush's 'Birthday Party'
Leticia Portillo
Sheperd
AP English & Composition
September 21, 2014
A Rhetorical Analysis of "Birthday Party" In the "Birthday Party," Katherine Brush shows what- at a glance- seems to be a non-suspicious dinner between a happily, "unmistakably," married couple; yet, when examined closer is obviously a dinner gone wrong. Her use of syntax, along with other literary devices, help show how a book shouldn't be judged by its cover. This story starts off in a light-hearted manner, describing a delightful couple. The detail of the "round, self-satisfied face" of the man and the "fadingly pretty" woman help describe their attitudes and characteristics. The "self-satisfied face" of the man gives off an impression of arrogance,

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Although Naomi Schaefer Riley use many effective rhetorical devices to strengthen her argument, she gets a little off topic towards the end of her article. The end of her essay lack the effective use of ethos and other rhetorical devices to keep the reader on track. The author keep coming back to Thiel’s idea which confuses the reader of her position in this argument. For example, she says, “so does Thiel’s offer suggest that a university diploma might be most useful lining a birdcage?” (10). By keep going back to Thiel’s plan for the students the article seems unprofessional and messy. It looks disorganized and takes away the intelligent tone she has established until this far in the article. By this unnecessary repetition the reader might…

    • 139 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Recognizing that the opponent’s view may be right in certain circumstances is a key thing when arguing under the Rogerian method, as it shows that both sides can be reasoned with. Jane Willy does this when she acknowledges that these nicknames and mascots hold a potential harm. She admits that there is “considerable merit to the argument that some names can be hurtful,” and if came to a consensus of their damage, they should be eliminated just as U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has requested (Willy, 2008). The author states that she believes anyone that feels offended by the names should be listened to. She also believes that foreigners should not decide for them that “they shouldn’t be offended, and that they are too thin-skinned, too eager…

    • 216 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In the New York Times Bestseller, The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan uses symbolism and diction to portray to the audience that the main antagonistic force stems from language barriers. The novel focuses on Chinese women immigrants and their daughters. All of the mothers come to America with high expectations and aspirations for both their future daughters and themselves. The mother’s first language is Chinese but their daughters grew up speaking English this causes rifts in their relationships’ because of misunderstandings and misinterpretations. A passage in the beginning of the novel tells the story of a woman that comes to America with a swan that was once a duck but stretched its neck in hopes of becoming a goose but turned into something entirely…

    • 267 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In “This is the Life” by Annie Dillard, Dillard uses a dominant magnanimous tone and she switches between a mocking tone and a provocative tone to express that humans nowadays take their lives for granted and they do not realize that not everyone in the world has such an easy life. Dillard does a tremendous job on describing the lives of humans in the past and the present, mapping out scenarios describing the “easy life” during a certain time period. As well as trying to get the reader to appreciate what they have in life, she also reminds us of how we need to challenge our worldview.…

    • 355 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Nancy Mairs had a normal, healthy life like any other person. Although, as time went by, she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which eats away the protective covering of nerves which interrupts the nerves’ signals that passes through the central nervous system. Mairs piece had a purpose to inform her audience about her personal life and her thoughts about being “crippled”. Mairs also includes the superficial beauty standards society has set. Mairs relates it to her and her audience’s feelings about the way it shaped people’s criticism of others that do not set to the superficial standards in society. Mairs captivates her audience to read more and be thoughtful about what she wrote is because of her uses of a variety of rhetorical…

    • 1191 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light When they were talking and they asked ginny if he talked to her.’’ you got him to talk to you ,”.…

    • 560 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) delivers the student address at Harvard Law School’s 2004 graduation ceremony in the movie Legally Blond. In the film Elle is a misguided student who gets accepted into law school upon false pretenses, merely to get back with her ex-boyfriend. He broke up with her because she was not suitable to be a future Senators wife, he claimed she lacked intelligence and only had her looks to depend on. Everyone’s doubt pushed her to stay determined, confident, and come to the conclusion that she does not need a man to justify her life. She also realizes that passion fuels the ability to become successful. This speech is very effective because of the rhetorical appeals of ethos, logos, and pathos used throughout.…

    • 721 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The 1920s were a time of great change in the United States. World War I had just ended and everyone was joyous that it was over. New jobs were created and styles changed to fit these new times. It was during this period that the flapper came about. The flapper’s unfamiliar style shocked those of the older generation. Her hair was cut in a bob style , she wore shorter, more revealing dresses, and walked around with a bold new confidence. The flapper was a symbol of the change that occurred during this era. The 20s were a time of change and enthusiasm for the future. In this passage, Stevenson uses the rhetorical devices of diction, metaphors, and asyndeton to describe to her younger audience this interesting and entertaining new age.…

    • 918 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    In “The Shop Girl”, 1883-1885 measuring 146.1 x 101, James Tissot depicts young maidens standing inside a workshop peddling ribbons and dresses. The essence of definition in this painting is well captured in Tissot’s unique sensibilities of his dramatic and emotive dynamism of the scene, as well as vivid imagery in a part of an exhibit titled “Quinze tableau sur la femme à Paris” (fifteen paintings on the woman of Paris). (Stirton)…

    • 1795 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Anyone who’s read the Giver knows that Jonas’s society if different than our own. Better read people, however, understand the book enough to realize that this is because his city is a dystopian society. Causing the banishment of emotions was a colossal mistake for “the community,” as he called it, because the project caused more harm than good. Deluded readers might say that they feel lesser emotions; in truth, they don’t even know the meaning. Even items other than emotion were taken out eventually, and many would be considered pleasures in today’s world. Factoring all these topics together, it’s clear to see that Jonas’s decision to save the community was the right one.…

    • 941 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In America, there used to be unfair laws and regulations regarding labor. Children are put to work in harsh conditions, conditions often deemed difficult even for adults, and are forced to work ridiculous hours. Florence Kelley gave a speech at the National American Woman Suffrage Association in Philadelphia on July 22, 1905. In her speech, Kelley uses repetition, pathos, imagery, logos, and carefully placed diction to express how child labor is morally wrong and inhumane.…

    • 888 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Depression in the 1800s

    • 1211 Words
    • 5 Pages

    William Faulkner and Charlotte Gilman are two well known writers for intriguing novels of the 1800’s. Their two eccentric pieces, “A Rose for Emily” and “The Yellow Wallpaper” are equally alluring. These authors and their works have been well recognized, but also critized. The criticism focuses on the society that is portrayed in these novels. The modern readers of today’s society are resentful to this dramatic society. These two novels are full of tradition, rebellion and the oppression over women’s rights. Both of these novels share the misery of the culture, but there is some distinction between the two. “A Rose for Emily” is a social commentary while “The Yellow Wallpaper” is an informative novel about the writer herself. The authors outlook focus on the gloomy structure in society during that time frame and therefore, create down hearted, reckless characters that offer stimulation for women of all generations.…

    • 1211 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Mrs. Mallard and Miss Emily both had a time in their lives when they have lost their husbands and are now a widow. Miss Emily when her lover dies, and Mrs. Mallard when new reached her ear of her husband’s death. Mrs. Mallard had a strict husband, which when she heard that he had died she finally had time to open her eyes and see that she was free, but when he walks in the door… joy is not the first think that over takes her. To where Miss Emily had a strict father who never…

    • 325 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “Birthday Party” In Class Essay In the short story “Birthday Party” Katharine Brush describes a couple who are out celebrating the husband’s birthday. She uses literary devices throughout the story to help her describe the party. Before even getting to the story, you first read the title “Birthday Party.” You would then expect the story to be about a birthday party right?…

    • 350 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Amphitheater Monologue

    • 835 Words
    • 4 Pages

    A beautiful woman slowly emerged from the room with her arms raised in the air as if she was embracing her moment and time to shine while the crowd roared with a deafening sound. With a twirl she acknowledged her audience and a bow that seemed as though she thought the audience was begging for an encore, finally, she turned her attention to the man that undoubtedly matched her own beauty. As she locked eyes on her soon to be husband she started walking slowly at first toward him and quicker as she got closer, eventually running to him in a dramatic fashion as if her lover had returned from war. Now pushed up against his unwilling body, she snapped her neck back with enthusiasm making sure that every last hair would not interfere with her big finale, a kiss from the equally handsome…

    • 835 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics