Rhetorical Analysis Chief Seneca Speech
Meagan McIntyre
Drake
Writing 50
September 20, 2013
Chief Seneca Speech Analysis
Chief Red Jacket recognized that Seneca culture was in jeopardy due to missionaries successfully converting some of his people, and decided to take necessary measures to salvage his peoples’ culture. Many aspects of the Seneca life had already been exploited, as the colonists continually took their land. In Chief Red Jacket’s address to missionaries he crafts a compelling speech that uses language masterfully to create a backhanded tone of indignation on the issue of whites suffocating the Seneca culture. He incorporates rhetorical questions, as well as well-crafted diction to contribute to his strong stance on the issue of religion being forced upon his people. He appeals to the reasoning of the missionaries without letting off his contempt too much due to the power that the whites have over him and his people.
Chief Red Jacket uses rhetorical strategies such as irony to illustrate the resistance he has towards Christianity. He states in his speech, “We will wait a little while, and see what effect your preaching has upon [our white neighbors]. If we find it does them good, and makes them honest, and less disposed to cheat Indians, we will then consider again what you have said.” Through this underlying condescending tone, Chief Red Jacket is able to achieve multiple effects. First, by pointing out the character flaws he sees in the whites, he creates a sense that he won’t reconsider Christianity. Chief Red Jacket alludes that the whites won’t change their actions. In this way he is able to cause the missionaries to stop and reflect on the way the whites treat the Seneca people. Chief Red Jacket also calls for his people to reconsider the way they regard the whites and their religion. He mocks the missionaries by insinuating that their preaching has done no good in regard to the ethics their “white neighbors” seem to have. Chief Red Jacket sarcastically brings about how he looks
Drake
Writing 50
September 20, 2013
Chief Seneca Speech Analysis
Chief Red Jacket recognized that Seneca culture was in jeopardy due to missionaries successfully converting some of his people, and decided to take necessary measures to salvage his peoples’ culture. Many aspects of the Seneca life had already been exploited, as the colonists continually took their land. In Chief Red Jacket’s address to missionaries he crafts a compelling speech that uses language masterfully to create a backhanded tone of indignation on the issue of whites suffocating the Seneca culture. He incorporates rhetorical questions, as well as well-crafted diction to contribute to his strong stance on the issue of religion being forced upon his people. He appeals to the reasoning of the missionaries without letting off his contempt too much due to the power that the whites have over him and his people.
Chief Red Jacket uses rhetorical strategies such as irony to illustrate the resistance he has towards Christianity. He states in his speech, “We will wait a little while, and see what effect your preaching has upon [our white neighbors]. If we find it does them good, and makes them honest, and less disposed to cheat Indians, we will then consider again what you have said.” Through this underlying condescending tone, Chief Red Jacket is able to achieve multiple effects. First, by pointing out the character flaws he sees in the whites, he creates a sense that he won’t reconsider Christianity. Chief Red Jacket alludes that the whites won’t change their actions. In this way he is able to cause the missionaries to stop and reflect on the way the whites treat the Seneca people. Chief Red Jacket also calls for his people to reconsider the way they regard the whites and their religion. He mocks the missionaries by insinuating that their preaching has done no good in regard to the ethics their “white neighbors” seem to have. Chief Red Jacket sarcastically brings about how he looks