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Thoreau's Attitude Towards Visitors Rhetorical Analysis

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In his passage, Henry David Thoreau utilizes various literary devices, such as irony, imagery, oxymoron, and many others to develop his attitude towards visitors. Thoreau's attitude towards visitors is very particular, showing that he doesn't not like visitors, but rather is careful about the way he approaches conversation. He is unconventional in the way that he doesn't enjoy small talk, but rather enjoys deep, meaningful, and thoughtful conversation. Throughout his passage, Thoreau uses examples of irony to help show his attitude towards visitors. He often mentions the aspect of space, whether it be in a house, or the amount of space between people talking. Some of his examples are ironic, since we expect something different than what he actual says. After comparing people to vermin, he then states that "many of our houses...appear to be extravagantly large for their inhabitants" raising the ironic question of why does a small mouse need so much space? His theme of space remains consistent as he later discusses how loud, wordy talkers need closeness. Thoreau states that "If we are merely loquacious and loud talkers, then we can afford to stand …show more content…

Again mentioning the aspect of space, Thoreau states that "In my house we were so near that we could not begin to to hear" showing how he feels that his visitors must have meaningful things to say, in which case they must have enough room to say these meaningful things, since he does not like small talk. He also states that people must be silent in order to enjoy an intimate society, "speech is for the convenience of those who are hard of hearing; but there are many fine things which we cannot say if we have to shout." This shows Thoreau's attitude towards visitors being accepting of only those who know how to listen properly, and speak only their deepest and most meaningful

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