Rhetorical Analysis Of Fear And Loathing In America By Hunter S. Thompson

Rhetorical Analysis of “Fear and Loathing in America”

September 11th, 2001, the greatest tragedy in American history. Four hijacked flights crashed, two into the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon, and one attempted to hit the White House. A day that will go down in history. A mere 24 hours after the devastating attack Hunter S. Thompson wrote “Fear and Loathing in America” to convey the horror and magnitude of the attack. Thompson utilizes allusions, colloquial tone, and hyperbole to achieve his purpose.

Thompson utilizes allusions to emphasize the magnitude of 9/11. In the first paragraph, Thompson equates 9/11 to events like “Pearl Harbor, the San Francisco earthquake” and “the Battle of Antietam,” three large-scale tragedies that dramatically affected America, these comparisons help the audience understand the magnitude and significance of 9/11. Thompson later declares “It will be a Religious War, a sort of Christian Jihad, fueled by religious hatred and led by merciless fanatics on both sides.” This reference draws parallels to the Islamic holy war and suggests that the state of America isn’t far from the state of Islamic countries. Lastly, Thompson uses the phrase “Loose Lips

Thompson's usage of pronouns like “I” and “we” strip away the barrier between the press and the common man. Thompson accounts “It was just after dawn in Woody Creek, Colorado, when the first plane hit the World Trade Center” and “Even ESPN was broadcasting war news.” Speaking in a familiar tone creates an equal ground between Thompson and his audience, strengthening the bond between him and his audience. Thompson employs a blunt and honest tone such as “or even dead, for all we know” and “which would soon explode on impact and utterly destroy the world”, further intensifying the impact of his article. Thompson's usage of a colloquial tone makes his audience more open to agreeing and listening to his