Sunday, March 17, 2013

Pathos

pathos: qualities of a work that evoke pity or sorrow. an excess of pathos can create over-emotionalism

"Added to the cruel lashings to which these slave were subjected, they were kept nearly half-starved."
                                                                 -Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
                                                                                         by Frederick Douglass

Douglass evokes pity for the two female slaves described by showing their circumstances. He describes what they were put through to make the reader feel sorry for them and slaves in general. Douglass wants to motivate the reader to act against slavery and injustice by showing a need and condition that evokes strong feelings of pity and sympathy.

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