Rhetorical Analysis Of Bernie's Speech

The third and final rhetorical appeal is the usage of pathos, or emotional appeal. A majority of the emotional appeal used in the speech is embedded throughout with examples of stories of American’s struggling. “It is about ending the disgrace of a mother in Flint, Michigan, telling me what has happened to the intellectual development of her child as a result of lead in the water in that city, of many thousands of homes in California and other communities unable to drink the polluted water that comes out of their faucets (Sanders).” Bernie uses a specific example of a child with a learning defect due to the water to elicit pity and an appalling reaction from his viewers. The fact that people in the United States, regarded by the citizens as ‘the land of the free,’ and that a child doesn’t have the freedom to drink safe, clean water evokes an emotional response. “It is about ending the incredible despair that exists in many parts of this country where – as a result of unemployment and low wages, suicide, drugs and alcohol – millions of Americans are now dying, in an ahistorical way, at a younger age than their parents (Sanders).” Suicide, drugs, and alcohol are all hard hitting subjects to most, especially suicide. And the fact that he mentions young Americans are succumbing to these things evokes pathos because children are seen more innocent and untouched by society than adults. Therefore, seeing a child, adolescent, or young adult succumb to any of the previously mentioned things would be devastating for most to hear and see.