Amanda Wilson
Professor Leightenheimer
English 1102-01
23 October 2017
Role and Pathos: How Eugene Debs Creates Relatability
Crafting and reciting a speech can be an incredibly difficult requirement. The main difference between these and, for example, an essay, is that enunciation and delivery can make or break a speech. With this addition also comes extra importance on understanding and reading the responses of your audience to gauge effectiveness. Speeches need to have a form of an emotional pull to them, or else they sort of inadvertently transition to lectures rather than a form of persuasion. Actions can still be carried out in more logically oriented speeches, but that passion to push someone could be lost. In Eugene Debs’ “Canton, Ohio” …show more content…
The speech was one in favor of socialism, an economic style with the appeal that all people are on the same level. Wages are stabilized and workers have more power. Socialism is also considered the antithesis to capitalism, the United States’ economic system of both then and now. This is where the speech can be declared to be against the aforementioned acts and then formally prosecuted in a court of law. Debs even acknowledged this in his speech saying this: “I realize that, in speaking to you this afternoon, there are certain limitations placed upon the right of free speech. I must be exceedingly careful, prudent, as to what I say, and even more careful and prudent as to how I say it.” Along with others at that time, Debs was subsequently tried in the aftermath of his speech, as well as convicted and sentenced for it (Eugene V. Debs …show more content…
He makes claims for why socialism, in particular, was facing extra persecution stating the following: So the truth must be ruthlessly suppressed. That is why they are trying to destroy the Socialist movement; and every time they strike a blow they add a thousand new voices to the hosts proclaiming that socialism is the hope of humanity and has come to emancipate the people from their final form of servitude (Debs).
The use of socialism in this light is consistent throughout the speech at this point. It is portrayed as a guiding light, for all people, not just workers, which also adds to relatability. People feel better when their actions are deemed beneficial, a larger group of people benefitting would theoretically only increase the gratification. This feeds on a human desire for happiness. This relatable role also ties greatly into a core rhetorical element,
Professor Leightenheimer
English 1102-01
23 October 2017
Role and Pathos: How Eugene Debs Creates Relatability
Crafting and reciting a speech can be an incredibly difficult requirement. The main difference between these and, for example, an essay, is that enunciation and delivery can make or break a speech. With this addition also comes extra importance on understanding and reading the responses of your audience to gauge effectiveness. Speeches need to have a form of an emotional pull to them, or else they sort of inadvertently transition to lectures rather than a form of persuasion. Actions can still be carried out in more logically oriented speeches, but that passion to push someone could be lost. In Eugene Debs’ “Canton, Ohio” …show more content…
The speech was one in favor of socialism, an economic style with the appeal that all people are on the same level. Wages are stabilized and workers have more power. Socialism is also considered the antithesis to capitalism, the United States’ economic system of both then and now. This is where the speech can be declared to be against the aforementioned acts and then formally prosecuted in a court of law. Debs even acknowledged this in his speech saying this: “I realize that, in speaking to you this afternoon, there are certain limitations placed upon the right of free speech. I must be exceedingly careful, prudent, as to what I say, and even more careful and prudent as to how I say it.” Along with others at that time, Debs was subsequently tried in the aftermath of his speech, as well as convicted and sentenced for it (Eugene V. Debs …show more content…
He makes claims for why socialism, in particular, was facing extra persecution stating the following: So the truth must be ruthlessly suppressed. That is why they are trying to destroy the Socialist movement; and every time they strike a blow they add a thousand new voices to the hosts proclaiming that socialism is the hope of humanity and has come to emancipate the people from their final form of servitude (Debs).
The use of socialism in this light is consistent throughout the speech at this point. It is portrayed as a guiding light, for all people, not just workers, which also adds to relatability. People feel better when their actions are deemed beneficial, a larger group of people benefitting would theoretically only increase the gratification. This feeds on a human desire for happiness. This relatable role also ties greatly into a core rhetorical element,