John Downe Rhetorical Analysis

In the early stages of American history, life was not all it seemed cut out to be; and under any circumstances, integrating into a new lifestyle is difficult. John Downe, a British immigrant, writes a letter to his wife hoping to persuade her to join him in America. Downe uses heavy logos, pathos, and juxtaposition in his argument. The beginning paragraph is written with details about his daily life in New York, mainly focusing on the cheap and accessible food. He also uses the mention of “English money” to further his claims, “And I can have a barrel of cider holding 32 gallons, for 4s… And I can have 100 lbs. Of Beef for 10s. English money.” Downe’s repetitive and extensive descriptions of the food in America relates to the fact that this

In fact, he directly compares America and England to one another, “America is not like England, for here no man thinks himself your superior.” He also claims that “this is a country where a man can stand as a man, and where he can enjoy the fruits of his own exertions, with rational liberty to its fullest extent.” Finishing off his letter to his wife, Downe uses perhaps the biggest exaggeration of it all. “Poverty is unknown here. You see no beggars.” The main reason for his fleeing of England was to escape the immense poverty that swallowed England. This hyperbolic statement portrays America in a luxurious light, making it seem as if life in America has no faults. The purpose of John Downe’s letter to his wife was to tell her about all the great things America has to offer in order to persuade her to join him in America. By using logos, pathos, and juxtaposition, he makes his argument stronger. Sukey is unaware of America and the daily life of the people, so she could be easily convinced to do so. The prosperity and promise that America has to offer is the biggest point John Downe tries to get across to his wife Sukey, so that their family can be reunited once