Rhetorical Strategies Used in E. B. Browning Letter In her letter to the French Emperor Napoleon III, Elizabeth Barrett Browning formulates a very convincing argument by the use of her rhetorical devices such as a pathos appeal to her subject, alliteration; a repetition of words, imperative sentences, asyndeton, and similes as methods of persuasion in order to convince Napoleon to pardon Victor Hugo. Browning attempts to undermine her own authority and lack of title, as a means to show Napoleon that she acknowledges that he [Napoleon] is the superior, stronger of the two. She is very modest in her approach as she states "Probably my very name as the wife of an English poet and as named itself a little among English poets, is unknown to your
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She begins "I have been reading with wet eyes and a swelling heart…a book…of a man who has sinned deeply against [you] in certain of his political writings…" (18). She describes her experience with the powerful imagery she has chosen to use, as a means to empathize with Napoleon on an emotional, no-titles-or-social-class level. She is revealing her heavy heart; She feels deeply for his cause. This shows Napoleon what she is wanting him to see, he can trust her, human to human; no labels. She wants him to understand her feelings so that she may as is later discussed implore him to change his mind. He will be so willing if he can empathize with …show more content…
Browning cites "Forgive this enemy, this accuser, this traducer" (54). She uses asyndeton to shorten her idea, omitting conjunctions, which ultimately its purpose is to focus on its meaning; forgive a man who may offset your rule. To end on the note of using an imperative sentence as "I will trust you besides for pardoning nobly. You will be Napoleon in this also" (75). She uses this tactic in specific syntax and decides to place this at the end of the letter; Ending on an effective note. The ball is set in his court. To note, Browning's argument proves to be convincing enough to build up Napoleon's ego. Browning is aware that for a ruler like Napoleon, she must go about convincing him, by hiding her true intentions behind such rhetorical devices. She wishes to make the emperor feel superior, strong, fortified, and then she will implore him to revoke his decision. She is essentially building him up, followed by tearing away his pride, until there is just an emotional emperor; this giving the perfect opportunity to strike, so to
She begins "I have been reading with wet eyes and a swelling heart…a book…of a man who has sinned deeply against [you] in certain of his political writings…" (18). She describes her experience with the powerful imagery she has chosen to use, as a means to empathize with Napoleon on an emotional, no-titles-or-social-class level. She is revealing her heavy heart; She feels deeply for his cause. This shows Napoleon what she is wanting him to see, he can trust her, human to human; no labels. She wants him to understand her feelings so that she may as is later discussed implore him to change his mind. He will be so willing if he can empathize with …show more content…
Browning cites "Forgive this enemy, this accuser, this traducer" (54). She uses asyndeton to shorten her idea, omitting conjunctions, which ultimately its purpose is to focus on its meaning; forgive a man who may offset your rule. To end on the note of using an imperative sentence as "I will trust you besides for pardoning nobly. You will be Napoleon in this also" (75). She uses this tactic in specific syntax and decides to place this at the end of the letter; Ending on an effective note. The ball is set in his court. To note, Browning's argument proves to be convincing enough to build up Napoleon's ego. Browning is aware that for a ruler like Napoleon, she must go about convincing him, by hiding her true intentions behind such rhetorical devices. She wishes to make the emperor feel superior, strong, fortified, and then she will implore him to revoke his decision. She is essentially building him up, followed by tearing away his pride, until there is just an emotional emperor; this giving the perfect opportunity to strike, so to