Rhetorical Analysis Of The North West Blues

In “The North West Blues”, Smith responds to the news that some libraries will be shutting down and writes to protect libraries. In his piece, she uses rhetorical devices, emotional appeal, and emphasizes that the library is an important resource.
This passage will analyze how Smith effectively draws the reader into the discussion and logically refutes arguments and take a look at his mistakes and ways of countering contentions. In defending his claim that libraries should be preserved, Smith looks at why the libraries are shutting down: “Kensal Rise… is unprofitable, Green… is for a sweet real estate deal”. In response, she logically responds to the contentions by recognizing the popularity of libraries that serve as an indoor public space that can be used to study: “you don’t have to buy anything in order to stay”. She concludes that libraries provide important

services to citizens. Additionally, Smith plays the devil’s advocate, speaking on behalf of the technocrats, “What need could there be for a [library]?” She then responds that the technocrats’ logic and viewpoints are skewed, that the library is more of a function than a bunch of individual spaces, and the internet is actually the death of the library, not the replacement.
Smith takes a perspective against libraries and uses specific examples and data on the use of the libraries by its citizens to help the reader gain insight on both sides of the argument and to help stifle any disputes against his case. To further his point that libraries are important, she quotes Mr. Notmytaxes, a fictional character representing the civilian population complaining about paying for libraries without actually using them, “But I never use those damn things!”. Smith reasons with Mr. “Notmytaxes”’ complaints and uses evidence about the use of libraries to refute his claim about the lack of use in libraries, “British libraries received over 300 million visits last year”. Using an anecdote from personal experience, Smith illustrates the popularity of libraries recounting his struggles to even find a seat in the cramped library.
Throughout the passage, Smith utilizes many rhetorical devices for readers to question and further understand the library as a public service that is important and beneficial.

“Can we keep our libraries?” Smith takes the position on behalf of all of the library activists, stepping out of his point of view, and assimilating his viewpoint to speak for the people’s as well. She specifically uses the word “we” to make the audience feel included and apart of the movement to keep libraries. Rather than only referring to only statistics and evidence, Smith appeals emotionally to the audience, emphasizing that we are humans, not robots, and there is something intrinsic about the library that should not be taken away. Additionally, she utilizes a literary technique of allegory to portray an abstract idea as a form of character, illustrating Mr. “Notmytaxes” as the notion of people that do not want to pay for libraries because they do not use them in the first place. She brings out a “call to action”, asking the authorities to think more seriously about the consequences and bring more weight into their

decision.
Smith takes up both sides of the argument at libraries and explains and refutes claims against them using data, emotional appeal – pathos, and literary devices to strengthen his argument. As a writer, Smith’s skills appeal to the different viewpoints about libraries and offers a comprehensive editorial stressing the importance of libraries.