Of My Dear Sukey By John Downe Rhetorical Analysis

John Downe, a loving father and husband, emigrated to America in search of better financial stability writes a letter to his wife in attempt to convince her to also emigrate to America. By telling her of the abundance and joy’s America has offered for him and could offer for their family as a whole, and an appeal to pathos Downe strives to persuade his wife to come to America. John Downe first attempts to enlighten her with vivid imagery of the great prosperity and abundance in America. He writes about all the food he was offered when dining, and happily lists all the food that “a person could wish” supporting the idea that there is an immense amount of food then appealing to her motherly nature of wanting to provide for her children. Later he tells of his cider how it holds “32 gallons” and his “100 lbs. of beef for 10s”. This only reinforces his point that there is a bounty of resources in America and how it wouldn’t be tedious to provide for their family. …show more content…
He starts his paragraph with an intimate phrase of “My dear Sukey” verifying his love his wife and appealing to her tender and emotional side. He later declares that he “shall be happy” only after his family moves to America. This suggests to his wife that the only way to make him happy is to come to America making her feel the desire and want to make him happy and please him. Downe highlights in his letter that “America is not like England” and unlike England “character has its weight and influence”. Revealing to her that this is the way America was only assures her of the equality and respect she will receive if coming to America. Downe effectively uses appeal to pathos to persuade his wife that coming to America is the only way to satisfy him and the best way for his family to