John Downe Rhetorical Analysis

The United States, during the 19th century, was a growing nation with much promise to prosper and urbanize. An integral aspect that contributed to the nation's expansion were immigrants, Individuals who were seeking more opportunities came from countries such as China, Germany, Ireland, etc. to work in the United States and earn a better living. In 1830, John Downe, an immigrant from England, is an example of a individual emigrating their home country to improve their life. John, in a letter to his wife trying to persuade his family to emigrate as well uses a mixture of tone, atmosphere, and pathos to envoke an overall hopeful but yet melancholy mood. To begin with, John begins to describe an experience in the country where he states that the there was an abundance of food available which could be bought for

John's words, when strung together, are able to convince his wife to emigrate because it is obvious that there are different and new chances in the United States. These chances can only benefit the life of Downe's because it shows that if his family does decide to emigrate they will have more sustenance. Another rhetorical strategy that Downe uses which is synonymous with tone is atmosphere. Throughout the letter Downe describes the United States as a place where an individual is free from hardships and instead is merely free. This is seen when Downe expresses that America "is a country where a man can stand as a man.. with rational liberty to its fullest extent." The atmosphere is a cheerful one which persuades his family to want to go somewhere where they can experience such generous freedom. The atmosphere that is created has the power to actually enable his family to emigrate because in their eyes they will move to a place where they could succeed and fully enjoy their