Jane Doe
Professor Christy Scheuer
English Composition 101
16 November 2010
Analyzing “Monuments to Our Better Nature” In “Monuments to Our Better Nature,” Michael Byers takes readers on a tour of the National Mall. The vivid imagery allows the audience to visualize these landmarks, even if they have not previously visited, with Byers as the tour guide. However, the purpose of this essay is not to document the National Mall. Byers wants to show what it is to be transcended from a complacent individual feeling like a civilian to a citizen who is a contributing factor to American democracy. He does this by using the monuments as representations of collective American ideals to instill a sense of history and community; bringing each reader out of his or her own circumstances. So, while the imagery is nice, it is actually his usage of rhetorical questions transforms Byers from a tour guide to a catalyst of patriotism. He provokes the audience and engages them in a conversational manner with his specifically worded questions, which assists in guiding the readers to the true meaning behind his writing. Byers begins his …show more content…
Byers needed to emphasize the purpose of his writing, so he used rhetorical questions to interact with the audience. An individual needs to embrace their purpose in this democracy, so must exercise his or her rights as citizens to contribute to the “greater good.” War and recession have made Americans pay attention and realize the necessity of community and taking care of each other. In times of uncertainty, can citizens really afford to let individual circumstances get in the way of finding solutions for a better
Professor Christy Scheuer
English Composition 101
16 November 2010
Analyzing “Monuments to Our Better Nature” In “Monuments to Our Better Nature,” Michael Byers takes readers on a tour of the National Mall. The vivid imagery allows the audience to visualize these landmarks, even if they have not previously visited, with Byers as the tour guide. However, the purpose of this essay is not to document the National Mall. Byers wants to show what it is to be transcended from a complacent individual feeling like a civilian to a citizen who is a contributing factor to American democracy. He does this by using the monuments as representations of collective American ideals to instill a sense of history and community; bringing each reader out of his or her own circumstances. So, while the imagery is nice, it is actually his usage of rhetorical questions transforms Byers from a tour guide to a catalyst of patriotism. He provokes the audience and engages them in a conversational manner with his specifically worded questions, which assists in guiding the readers to the true meaning behind his writing. Byers begins his …show more content…
Byers needed to emphasize the purpose of his writing, so he used rhetorical questions to interact with the audience. An individual needs to embrace their purpose in this democracy, so must exercise his or her rights as citizens to contribute to the “greater good.” War and recession have made Americans pay attention and realize the necessity of community and taking care of each other. In times of uncertainty, can citizens really afford to let individual circumstances get in the way of finding solutions for a better