Rhetorical Analysis Of The Foul Reign Of Self Reliance

In the article “The Foul Reign of Self Reliance” by Benjamin Anastas the main topic being discussed is the topic of self reliance. It discusses how it is bad and how much the American society has been negatively effected because of it especially in politics because self reliance presents a self centered view. In the article Anastas’s uses rhetorical strategies such as pathos, logos, and to help the readers understand the concept of “self reliance”. Anasta’s uses pathos as well as logos, Anecdote and tone tone to let the reader know that the ideas that Emerson is discussing is not ok. Through out the article he explains that self reliance comes with one having to be selfish and self centered, Anasta uses examples from our society and challenges

Self reliance was proposed by Ralph Emerson. ANastas claims that “self reliance” has impacted the American society So in this essay it starts off in the setting of an English class at the authors private school. His teacher “Mr.Sideways” is the teacher that first introduced him to Emerson. They begin to go on and on describing how “self reliance’ has had a negative impact on the American society. When talking about Emersons essay it states that it has a negative impact on society mainly in politics and government because they present a selfish and self-centered view. Later in the article he mentions an advertisement for Apple and in this advertisement a poem called “Here’s to The Crazy Ones” he states in the article that the ad reflects how the actions that one takes has little to no meaning and that is because it is so important to be viewed as a nonconformist. In our politics it is almost impossible to try to compromise and that prevents anything from being done. it The adoption of self reliance comes with many other things, he lets us know that it comes with self importance as well as self centeredness. Antasas lets us know what Emerson said is not good people focusing on themselves is a damaging thing and does not help with anything.SO overall the author still completes his purpose he demonstrates how the

Some rhetorical devices that are used are anecdotal evidence, diction, pathos, logos and tone too. Anastas states his opinion of “self reliance” with an anecdote immediately once starting the essay. He states his teacher was not the smartest man ever, he thought what Emerson was stating was right and looked at things that way. In the beginning of the paragraphs Anastas’ uses intense dictation to express the same type of dictation Emerson had in “Self Reliance” what he does there is ironic and mocks Emerson. Certain words that Anastas’ uses such as “high flown pap” and “real hokum” made it very clear to the reader that the article was going to be about criticism of Emerson’s philosophy. Through out the whole article the tone and somewhat sarcasm presented within the text allows us to see how Anastas does not agree with Emerson. The diction used through out the entire essay is what one can call” smart” he uses sarcasm to argue what Emerson has said to believe is right. Anastas uses a strong tone to show that “self reliance” is not a good thing at