Question

Identify the persuasive and rhetorical techniques in this passage: "Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land." -"I Have Been to the Mountaintop"

Answer 1

Answer:

Rhetorical device: Allusion.

Persuasive device: Pathos, Ethos.

Explanation:

As per the question, 'allusion' is the rhetorical device that has been employed in this passage while 'pathos and ethos' are the persuasive devices used by the author in the given passage.

The author employs 'allusion' as the rhetorical device to enhance the contextual depth of the passage when the king in the passage indirectly refers to Moses and alludes a historical significance by describing the fact that 'however, the time has been passed but Moses was unable to set in the 'promised land' but rather looking from the mountaintop only.

The persuasive device 'pathos'(appeal) to emotion is reflected through the mixed imagery of joy and solicitude presented by the author to convince the audience emotionally while 'ethos'(appeal to ethics) is displayed through the author's comparison which implies that 'with the king or without him, the African Americans would ultimately attain their goal of gaining legal equality' fro themselves. This comparison establishes the author's character and persuades the audience ethically.