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Rhetorical Analysis: The Use Of Non-Violence, By Cesar Chavez

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Acclaimed activist and political leader, Cesar Chavez, in his article, attempts to convince the laboring class and those in need in America to restrain from any use of violence during their struggle. Throughout his article Chavez is able to maintain a predominantly straightforward positive tone in order to motivate his audience to lean more towards a non-violent approach to their problems. His purpose is to persuade the laboring class in America to abstain from any use of violence during their struggle. Chavez further elaborates his desire and purpose for his followers by utilizing the use of pathos and logos.

Chavez is in the mentality that nonviolence is the only way his followers- the rest of the labor union- will achieve their goals and abstain from any injuries or harm that could possibly happen to them. In order to elaborate upon this, he employs the use of pathos in hopes that they might be more cautious of taking a violent stance. According to the prompt Cesar states “If we resort to violence then one of two things will happen: either violence will be escalated and there will be many injuries and perhaps deaths…”. …show more content…

Cesar uses historical information in order to present a scenario where the use of non-violence successfully worked in Gandhi’s protest. Chavez further elaborates upon his success by stating “The boycott, as Gandhi taught, is the most nearly perfect instrument of nonviolent change, allowing masses of people to participate actively in a cause.” Chavez appeals to his audience’s reason by examining how Gandhi's nonviolent protest lead to his movements increased numbers and how it was “allowing masses of people to participate actively in a cause.” he uses this appeal in order to reason with hi people that nonviolence will increase the success of their protest by increasing their

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This is best exemplified by Chavez when he elaborates on violent tendencies since, “If we resort to violence then one of two things will happen: either the violence will be escalated and there will be many injuries and perhaps deaths on both sides, or there will be total demoralization of the workers” (Chavez). From Chavez’s statement about violence approaches to solve problems it impacts the audience from the beginning as it makes them question and reconsider what actually gets accomplished by resorting to violent tactics. This also in return, develops the beginning of Chavez’s main argument as it abhors the use of violence to solve ethical/moral problems and shows that temporary solutions are the only thing to come from such

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His repeated use of the word “we” adds to his sense of collaboration. By showing the reader that he is not alone in his fight against oppression and discrimination, Chavez uses the implied “might in numbers” to his advantage. This same convincing tone can be seen in how he lists the benefits of nonviolence and problems of nonviolence and issues of nonviolence. He convinces by stating that “nonviolence is more powerful than violence” and it can “support you if you have a just and moral cause.” By refusing to give any ground to opposing viewpoints in his article, Cesar makes sure that the reader can understand all of his points without looking at any downsides.

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In addition, referencing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the text further established Cesar Chavez’s ethos. King was someone who was revered by proponents of civil rights. Associating an audience with a prominent figure such as Dr. King adds to the credibility in the rhetor. Chavez uses the main persona of a human

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In the first paragraph Chavez mentions Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, stating that Dr. King’s “entire life was an example of power that nonviolence brings…” This reference to Dr. King causes those who know of his impact to realize that he lead a strong historical example of what nonviolence could achieve. By using Dr. King as an example it indicates that Chavez thinks that if nonviolence had heavily impacted the past, then it would most likely do the same in the present and future. Chavez also makes a reference to Gandhi and his nonviolent boycott in India, claiming that what he taught “is the most nearly perfect instrument of nonviolent change.” By using the word perfect to describe Gandhi’s teachings of nonviolence, it further supports Chavez’s stance for nonviolent resistance.

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