Rhetorical Analysis of Thoreau

Quote: 

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear, nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all of the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and spartan like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion"(Thoreau 74). 

Rhetorical Analysis: 

The act of doing things "Deliberately" as Thoreau says opens doors to new life. Nature specifically is the key to this new view and experience of the world. The only way to experience such a sense of rebirth is to live in nature and gain first hand experience of that to which nature can teach us. Thoreau captivates the reader with an inspiring tone and structure to learn more about his infatuation with nature as well as making the reader question their own life and if they truly have lived. 

Thoreau's tone is one of extreme wonder and inspiration. His voice seems to flow smoothly and calmly through his own wonders of nature and pulls the reader into his thoughts. It feels as if you are in Thoreau's shoes and are going to live in the woods as well or want to do the same in your own backyard. However he is very formal, which infers that his audience is well educated people, who would probably be the least willing of living such a simple life as Thoreau. Maybe this also helped him question his audience and lead them to examine their own lives?

The usage of first person worked well in his story to eradicate generalizations of society. It is a first hand experience however it draws the reader in well to follow his story. He used very logical examples for his journey into the woods such as that it was his desire to learn. It is impossible to argue with because it is his reason for his journey. By using such personal examples he really builds his ethos significantly. He also built credibility with the usage of the world "deliberately" as to point out that his journey to the woods was his own desire. He does not force the reader to do anything that he himself has done but rather makes the reader marvel at his own life and his own actions. 

Thoreau's usage of diction provided much imagery as well as emotions. Words such as "genuine meanness" imply that there may be a darker side to nature, which gives the reader a sense of mystery. What is it exactly that Thoreau thought he was on to? Another possible face of nature that would shock most people. Maybe the close connection between human nature and nature itself.? Whatever the case it was very effective and very captivating. 

Throughout Thoreau's explanation of his story there is a sense of mystery and imagination evoked. This relates back to other Transcendentalist ideals of imagination and nature of which Thoreau depicts throughout Walden as a whole. Can we as the reader not truly say we have lived until we experience the same simplicity of life and nature around us first hand?

Customer Service Calls Routed to India Rhetorical Analysis

Rhetorical Analysis: 

Brown begins her article by introducing a specific location and uses words to deceive the reader into at first believing that her story is about an American student working abroad. Her article as you read on though is actually the complete opposite. Brown makes a very clever transition to her main point of how many American companies are providing job opportunities to workers in southern India. Through her usage of pathos and logos she conveys her views artistically as well as respectfully voicing the opposing claim, which is very effective in drawing the reader in to her point of view.

Brown starts out by effectively transitioning from the characteristics of an American individual such as being from Illinois and being named Betty to being named Savitha and living in southern India. This contrast between cultures helps to effectively draw parallels between our nations. She then connects how these jobs offered at companies are giving newly grads their first good jobs, which provide them for proper experience for the future. She names specific companies such as CustomerAsset and the "1 in a half dozen call centers in Bangalore"(516). Brown's usage of logos explains how dependent we are on these workers especially when she said, "When an American calls a toll free number"(516). That really emphasizes the fact that this is a very large business and that it is very common. Just think about how many toll free numbers there are to call and how many possibly rooted in India.

The similarity between our cultures however is highlighted in her article. The agents in India are polite and speak excellent English. This supported her claim that it is a good opportunity. She explains how they get excellent training in American and British accents. She also describes utilizing the great work ethic in which she uses pathos to drive the reader into thinking that it is beneficial and necessary. By comparing the wages of call center workers to sweatshop workers in India it really helps to influence the reader that these jobs are helping the people even though the wages are low by American standards. The word sweatshop a lone has negative connotations with slavery, so it was a very good use of pathos on Browns part.

Throughout her article, Brown is very straightforward and does not try to hide anything from the reader, even if it goes against her bias. Brown included the $213 monthly wage of call center workers in India, which seems terrible, yet compared to the yearly $450 of  a sweatshop worker, it is night and day. Brown also clearly states the opposing views that call centers are bad paying sweatshops with poor working conditions. She also references in Arundhati Roy's view that globalization is destroying the Indian culture and basically taking away from the cultural baggage of these call center workers.

Overall Browns article was very effective in drawing in the reader to accept her argument as well as interest the reader in learning more about the issue. She uses pathos throughout as well as much logic and referencing to other people to support her claims or to mention the opposing side of the argument. She really did a fantastic job in building her ethos by using such strong evidence from both sides of the argument, which really helped to build her respect as a writer and make her more trustworthy.