A Rhetorical Analysis Of Our America By Jose Marti

From a young age, José Martí began dedicating his life to the promotion of liberty, and political independence for Cuba as well as the intellectual freedom for all Spanish Americans. One of his famous works, “Our America” stood as a rhetorical rally to unify Cubans from all backgrounds to come together for a common cause. To Martí, the need for a second revolution in the name of independence was evident. Throughout his work, he expresses admiration for the United States, applauding the function of democracy, while still stressing the dangers of its expansion into Latin America.

One particular passage that stood out to me as being full of vivid language and alluring analogies was:

“Those who use the authority of a criminal tradition to lop

off the hands of their defeated brother with a sword stained with his own blood, ought to return the lands to the brother already punished sufficiently if we do not want the people to call them robbers… We can no longer be a people of leaves, living in the air, our foliage heavy with blooms and crackling or humming at the whim of the sun's caress, or buffeted and tossed by the storms. The trees must form ranks to keep the giant with seven-league boots from passing!”
After reading this particular passage, Martí’s use of analogies regarding nature peaked my curiosity. As a result, I found myself researching his past life and discovered that he was not only a writer but an ecologist. At a young age, Martí believed that the value that mankind had given to nature had rapidly declined due to the lack of concern and love throughout the world. Consequently, he grew increasingly concerned with ecology, becoming aware of the importance of nature to the survival of mankind. Martí once stated, "studying the forces of nature and learning to manage them is the proper way to solve social problems.” Understanding Martí’s appreciation and grasp of nature and the strong correlation between mankind and society, allows for a more in-depth understanding of his work.
For example, Martí references elements of nature such as leaves, trees, foliage, air, light, and storms. To me, the allusion of leaves symbolized a temporary moment in time, one that is destined to repeat itself, just as the leaves of a tree come and go with each passing season. I believe Martí was trying to suggest that the oppression of his people is something that is merely temporary. However, he stresses the importance of “no longer be[ing] leaves,” meaning that they must break free and stand strong to fight the cycle from repeating itself. Another interpretation could be “leaves” concerning the pages of a book, which would draw on the idea they must break free from the formalities that have appropriated their oppression. Perhaps, Martí is suggesting that they can no longer be a “leaf” in the pages of the white oppressors' book, living according to their customs and beliefs. Instead, he urges that they must revolt and create their own identity and in turn, a book full of their leaves and their own identity. Martí than goes on to refer to the term “foliage,” meaning leaves as a collective. The use of the word creates a sense of unity amongst the oppressed emphasizing that despite their differences, they are all still a unified people. This concept of unification is reiterated once again in his tree analogy a sentence later; he states “the trees must form ranks to keep the giant with seven-league boots from passing.” Martí’s mention of trees forming rows creates an image of leaves clustered together, forming a shield, and with it, a sense of shelter from the harsh elements of nature. He uses this analogy to reiterate the importance of unity and standing together, side by side to fight a common enemy. In this particular instance, the enemy is the “seven-league boots,” which refers to an element of European folklore. The boots allowed the person who wore them to take strides of seven leagues per step, resulting in great speed. I believe Martí was implying that the “giant” was the British empire, whom at the time was quickly multiplying into a rather large and powerful empire. Britain could be considered to be wearing the “seven league boots” and therefore have obtained the ability to conquer vast lands hastily. Martí’s use of this particular allegory instilled a sense of urgency over the idea of Britain’s rapidly expanding reign.
Similar to his reference to English folklore and the “seven league boots,” Martí also drew on the old punishment laws in Sharia-controlled areas of Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

For example, the punishment for theft was severing the right hands of the offender at the wrist. In knowing the history of this ancient and barbaric punishment, I found it rather interesting how Martí used it in the way he did. He starts by saying “lop off the hands of their defeated brothers,” the defeated brothers being the people who have had their land stolen from out beneath them. This statement proves ironic in that the ones who fell victim to theft are the ones who receive punishment, rather than the thieves themselves. Martí uses this analogy to emphasize the unfairness behind their mistreatment, stating that they have been “punished sufficiently.” I believe this reference to be somewhat valuable, especially considering the similarities Cuba shares with Nigeria, for instance: music, language, literacy, and culture. However, Martí has never confirmed that this analogy was intentional, and instead, could easily be a product of an over-analysis of the

reading.
When considering that what is perceived could be an exaggeration or misinterpretation of Martí’s real intention, it is essential to take into consideration that his essay is a product of translation.

After reviewing the original version of his writing, which he had written in his native language, I have realized that much of what I had interpreted to have importance in the English translation, could not be justly supported in Spanish. I found myself paying attention to diction and the double meaning of certain words and phrases, without realizing that the language was very much different from that of the original. For example, I saw the usage of the word “lop” interesting in that it means to cut off from the main part of a tree trunk. Immediately I saw this particular play with diction as a way of emphasizes his analogy to nature. However, in the Spanish translation, Martí uses the word “cercenaron” which roughly translates to cut off, not lop. Therefore the previous connection I once made between the word and his analogy is not one that could be considered intentional in regards to Martí’s original

writing.
Although it may be inaccurate to pay much significance to certain words in his writing, one thing that is universal in language is the use of pronouns and tenses. Martí’s paper consisted of well-placed pronouns, and the intentional use of the imperative. He uses the word “those” when referring to their oppressors, which emphasizes a more distant of two things. The term, "those" is typically used in singling out someone or something and ascribing a distinctive feature to them. Martí specific word choice shows how distant and different he and his people are from the men who try to suppress them. He also uses pronouns, such as “we” and “our” to reiterate the feeling of unification of an oppressed people. Because of Martí’s use of these particular pronouns, he can utilize the imperative, while avoiding the negative connotation associated with it. Because the imperative mood is used to tell someone to do something directly, many people find it to be inappropriate and off-putting. However, when Martí uses this particular method of writing, he couples it with a pronoun such as when he states, “we can no longer be leaves,” and as a result, his command comes across as being a rallying cry rather than a demanding order.
After reading Martí’s “Our America,” I have concluded that his essay was intended as a rallying cry to urge his people to unite and fight, once again for their freedom and independence. His use of grammar techniques such as pronouns and verb tenses stressed the idea of unification, and the analogies to nature asserted his belief that humans and society as a whole are closely related to nature. Martí had once said, "nature inspires, cures, comforts, encourages and prepares man for virtue. Man is not complete and can´t see what is invisible, without being in close connection with nature". I believe Martí feels the need to reveal evident social issues through the language of nature as a means of shining light upon what appears “invisible” to most. It is an indirect yet captivating way of addressing harsher realities, and through nature, he feels as though he can inspire and encourage virtue and change.