Everybody Have Fun Rhetorical Analysis

C.S. Lewis stated in his book Surprised by Joy , “Joy itself, considered simply as an event in my own mind, turned out to be of no value at all. All the value lay in that of which Joy was the desiring.” Happiness is found in the longing as well as in the experiences themselves. Happiness is not created or discovered, but happiness is crafted and endured. Elizabeth Kolbert’s article, “Everybody Have Fun” is filled with myriad of rhetorical devices that are used to support and enhance the overall theme of the article. This quote by C.S. Lewis enforces the underlying tone of the article, as well as supports the ideas within. First, Kolbert used the rhetorical device of ethos by providing credible information from legitimized experts. One of these credible and highly intelligent people is Derek …show more content…
Simply stated he asks readers, “What is the point of working for higher incomes with the cost of longer working hours for individuals and even environmental disaster, when the outcome for individual happiness will remain the same?” Bok uses this rhetorical question to prove his point that growth has substantial costs and that America has a felicific stagnation. The article also created a feeling of skepticism. It goes and points out contradictions in the mindsets of Americans today. Many people believe that being wealthy will improve their level of happiness, yet the article goes to support that happiness is found in the longing. The article displays that individual's personal expectations increase when the individual's level of happiness expected is reached. The contradictions used only help the article to be more authentic, and it creates a strong voice to engrain the message in the minds of the readers. The success of Kolbert’s essay is heavily dependent on her ability to connect to her readers in order to leave her mark that she