Colonial American Society Rhetorical Analysis

The author of this passage uses several rhetorical devices to strengthen the argument about colonial American Society. The author uses devices such as contrast of ideas, appeal of emotion as well as repetition to get his point across and further develop his argument about colonial American society.

Throughout this passage, Hector contrasted life in European countries like England from colonial America. Hector said “...can that man call England or any other kingdom his country? A country that had no bread for him, whose fields procured him no harvest…” The author added this to the passage to tell how there was no light at the end of the tunnel for the poor in Europe and to also prepare for the contrast of the opportunities for the poor in colonial America. Later in the passage, Hector said, “Formerly they were not numbered in any civil lists of their country, except in those of the poor; here they rank as citizens. He also told how “poor Europeans have no attachment to their European country.” and now in their new country, “he is given land, bread, protection, and consequence.” Overall, Hector contrasted life for the poor in Europe and America to highlight the difference in
quality of life in these two places.

Also seen in the passage, was Hector’s use of pathos to appeal to the audience’s emotions throughout his argument on colonial American society.
Towards the end of the passage, Hector makes a point about “a man who leaves his country with his family, leaving behind the principles of European life.” This could have been used to make the reader feel saddened that families had to completely abandon their cultures to go to colonial America because it was their only opportunity for the poor families to find success in life. Hector also says, “Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race whose labors and posterity will one day cause great changes in the world.” The author says this to make the reader feel patriotic and also proud that all races can come together to make a
change.

Another noticeable rhetorical strategy used by Hector was his repetition, which is seen several times throughout the passage. One example of Hector’s repetition is when talks on how everything had seemed to regenerate the emigrants, saying, “...New laws, a new mode of living, a new social system…” The word “new” is repeated several more times throughout the passage, all with the same meaning. The author does this to highlight the contrast between life in Europe and life in America for the non wealthy, showing America as a “new” lifestyle. An additional example of repetition in Hector’s passage was his description of an American’s family, stating, “...Whose grandfather was an Englishman, whose wife was Dutch, whose son married a French woman, and whose present four sons have now four wives of different nations.” Hector repeats the word “whose” a plethora of times in this quote showing. The reasoning behind adding repetition to this portion of his writing was to show the depth and diversity of families coming to America, saying later the people of other nations are “...Melted into a new race whose labors and posterity will one day cause great changes in the world.”

This passage is a melting pot of several rhetorical devices specifically chosen to give the author’s argument validity, strength and backing. He uses contrasting idea, pathos, and repetition to convey his emotions toward colonial American society. From his contradicting ideas, to his repetition, he tells us of new life and diversity in colonial America.