Rhetorical Analysis 2

What are the consequences of destitute families on the wellbeing of the American nation?

Claim: Destitute families diminish the wellbeing of the nation.

Reason: Because destitute families decrease the economic stability of the nation.

Implicit Assumption: Whatever decreases the economic stability of the nation also diminishes the wellbeing of the nation.

The target audience are employed American Christians—those who are sympathetic to the needs of others, are charitable, and are still fairly well off despite the Depression.

The goal is to help those who are not heavily affected by the Depression (target audience) realize how the other half is living and then have them reach out to help those that are in need.

The photograph is of a real family, nothing is fictitious or staged. This contributes to its accuracy and ethos. Another factor that contributes to the photograph’s ethos is the photographer, Dorothea Lange, who is a well-known photographer and the targeted audience will be able to appreciate her work as well as be touched by it. This brings me to pathos, which is used heavily in this piece. This photograph evokes feelings of empathy in the audience for the desperation and hopelessness of the mother and her children. It also stirs up a kind of motherliness; good Christian women will want to reach out and comfort her and her sweet children. It might also evoke a feeling of responsibility in Christian men. After all, we do not see a paternal figure, and the men in the targeted audience may feel it is their duty to look after the widows and the fatherless. It may also make the audience realize that if they do not help now, how many more families will end up this way and create a terribly unstable nation? This contributes to the logos of the piece. Another factor that contributes to logos is the idea that some Christians may have: If you are not charitable, you are not Christian. The photograph is very sufficient as is, without the context of her surroundings or color. What matters most is her desperation and the scene is more pitiful without the brightness of color. Her surroundings could or could not add to the argument and desperation. This may not be a typical photograph that the target audience has seen, and they may be shocked at first to realize how the other half lives, which will cause them to act and come to her aid. The photograph is relevant to the argument and the audience because Americans who care about others and the wellbeing of the nation will help her destitute family.

Overall it is very effective for those who have a heart, but the stingy scrooges will still suppress their sums. This photograph would not be effective without the emotion of desperation that the mother portrays. This desperation evokes a sense of urgency in the audience to act NOW and come to her rescue.