What Is The Rhetorical Fallacy In Emerson's Speech

In his powerful Phi Beta Kappa address presented at Harvard, “The American Scholar”, Ralph Waldo Emerson asserts, “The scholar of the first age received into him the world around: brooded thereon; gave it a new arrangement of his own mind, and uttered it again. . . . It can stand, and it can go” (Emerson 1). By this quote, it can be easily interpreted that Emerson has a passion for writing and books as he speaks his beliefs. In fact, Emerson incorporates many of his beliefs throughout his speech, from unity in writing and society to the practice of new philosophies being formed in every generation. Emerson utilizes the rhetorical appeal of diction and the rhetorical fallacy of loaded words throughout his speech in order to depict his beliefs on

For example, in the third paragraph Emerson proclaims, “Henceforward it is settled, the book is perfect; as love of the hero corrupts into worship of his statue” (Emerson 3). Loaded words such as “perfect” and “corrupt” provide the audience with both positive and negative emotions books can bring about. The author includes this impactful statement in order to prove that while books and writers may satisfy the views of some, other people believe certain books and writers are wrong and corrupt. Emerson also includes loaded words into his speech in the final sentence where he states, “Books are the best of things, well used; abused, among the worst” (Emerson 5). Emerson strategically applies words such as “best” and “abused” to yet again prove his point of the different views on books. While many people are able to reap the benefits and get use out of books, others “abuse” books, neglecting or contending against them. Emerson’s continual use of loaded words throughout his speech engage the audience and teach them of the powerful impacts books can have, positively or