Rhetorical Analysis Of The Book 'Black Elk Speaks'

“Black Elk Speaks” by John G. Neihardt is a narrative about the life and visions of Black Elk, an Oglala Lakota holy man. The text is not just a historical account. It is a book full of rhetorical strategies that Black Elk employs to convey his spiritual experiences, cultural heritage, and the changes faced by his people. Using ethos, pathos, and logos, Black Elk establishes his credibility and authority but also evokes a deep emotional response while presenting logical arguments about the struggles and resilience of the Lakota people. This analysis will dive deeper into these 3 rhetorical elements and examine how they help the reader understand the message of Black Elk. Black Elk establishes his ethos through his detailed recounting of personal
His credibility is also reinforced by the respect and reverence he receives from his community, as well as the historical context of his experiences during a terrible time for Native Americans. The emotional appeal, or pathos, in “Black Elk Speaks” is powerful and pervasive. Black Elk’s vivid descriptions of the sufferings faced by the Lakota people evoke strong feelings of empathy and sorrow for the reader. His recounting of the Battle of the Wounded Knee and the massacre is heart wrenching, as in detail he relives the loss of life and the impact it had on his community. Black Elk’s personal grief and collective mourning of his people are seen through his words, creating connections with the audience. By sharing these historical moments, he not only humanizes the struggle of his people but also compels readers to reflect on the other implications of colonization and cultural destruction. In addition to emotional and ethical appeals, Black Elk employs logical reasoning or logic, to strengthen his arguments. He presents a coherent narrative that traces back to the historical events that led to the destruction and suffering of his Lakota