Rhetorical Devices In Chief Seattle Speech

A famous oration was spoken by Chief Seattle, who emits his affection and concern toward his land and Native American tribes as they will soon be perished. Recently, Governor Isaac I. Stevens acquired official orders to buy land from Chief Seattle. As a response, this oration was composed in order to serve as an acknowledgement toward the Governor’s demand. The oration was well composed with rhetorical devices used to convey the speaker’s message. Nonetheless, the main purpose of the oration is to establish Chief Seattle’s beliefs toward the orders, as he uses several rhetorical strategies to support his speech; such as figurative language, organization, diction and tone. Initially, the speech was given to Governor Isaac I. Stevens, who had …show more content…
As eloquent as his speech is, Chief Seattle expresses several different attitudes. One of the most prominent tones of the oration is sentimental, which is effectively illustrated in paragraph five; in which he states “Our dead never forget the beautiful world that gave them being … and often return to visit, guide, console, and comfort the lonely hearted living.” Chief Seattle notes that his tribesmen who have passed away will not abandon their living, which he later solemnly states “ … for the dead are not powerless.” Despite the crumbling race of Native Americans, Chief Seattle says “I will not dwell on, nor mourn over, our untimely decay, nor reproach my paleface brothers with hastening it as we too may have been somewhat to blame.” Here, Chief Seattle understands his situation as he chooses not to be resentful toward the White Americans demonstrating the sympathetic tone. Another display of sympathy lies in the following “It is the order of nature, and regret is useless. Your time of decay may be distant, but it will surely come, … We may be brother afterall.” Narrating the tragic story of his Tribe, Chief Seattle radiates a nostalgic tone, as he states “There was a time when our people covered the land as the waves of a wind-ruffled sea cover its shell paved floor …” Even though his current Tribe is suffering, Chief Seattle is still mindful of the enchanting past of his people. Similar to his sympathetic attitude, the speaker also displays an accepting tone, which he says “The Indians’ night promises to be dark. Not a single star of hope hovers above his horizon … It is the order of nature, and regret is useless.” Acknowledging his Tribe’s despair, Chief Seattle recognizes that resisting the annihilation of the Native American tribes is hopeless as it is bound to happen. His tones are generated