In John Downe’s letter to his wife, Sukey, he uses multiple rhetorical appeals and other devices to convince her and his children to move to America. To begin, he speaks clearly of his life so far, logos is the rhetorical device that is most abundant here. He speaks how the quality of living is twice as luxurious and half the price, “And I can have a barrel of cider holding 32 gallons, for 4s., and they will lend me the barrel till I have emptied it.” This section uses logos, because he stated the facts and experiences he has had to make it seem like the logical choice for a better way of life is to move to America. Furthermore, Downe applies the use of pathos into his letter. Downe emphasizes how his happiness depends on if and when his
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One example of figurative language he used is hyperbole. In the second paragraph, he describes the distance he would go so his children could be happy, “I would rather cross the Atlantic ten times than hear my children cry for victuals once.” Here, Downe exaggerated the lengths he would reach to keep his children out of debt. This hyperbole is helpful in the persuasion of his wife, because he says that there would be no poverty in America for their family, and uses it as an emphasis on how financial standings aren’t as important in America as they are in England. Continuing, another example of figurative language Downe used to convince his wife was understatement. Downe describes the voyage to America as a petty excursion, “You will find a few inconveniences in crossing the Atlantic, but it will not be long, and when that is over, all is over, for I know that you will like America.” In this statement, he informs his wife that the trip won’t have too many problems or ‘inconveniences,’ but in reality it will be a very hard time for Sukey and the children. This is helpful in the persuasion of Sukey because it makes it seem like the expedition will be easy and emigrating to America is not difficult. In conclusion, Downe wrote a very effective letter to convince his wife to move to America, involving the uses of multiple rhetorical
One example of figurative language he used is hyperbole. In the second paragraph, he describes the distance he would go so his children could be happy, “I would rather cross the Atlantic ten times than hear my children cry for victuals once.” Here, Downe exaggerated the lengths he would reach to keep his children out of debt. This hyperbole is helpful in the persuasion of his wife, because he says that there would be no poverty in America for their family, and uses it as an emphasis on how financial standings aren’t as important in America as they are in England. Continuing, another example of figurative language Downe used to convince his wife was understatement. Downe describes the voyage to America as a petty excursion, “You will find a few inconveniences in crossing the Atlantic, but it will not be long, and when that is over, all is over, for I know that you will like America.” In this statement, he informs his wife that the trip won’t have too many problems or ‘inconveniences,’ but in reality it will be a very hard time for Sukey and the children. This is helpful in the persuasion of Sukey because it makes it seem like the expedition will be easy and emigrating to America is not difficult. In conclusion, Downe wrote a very effective letter to convince his wife to move to America, involving the uses of multiple rhetorical