Shirley Jackson successfully prompts readers to reflect on the danger of unthinking adherence to traditions. She portrays a community steeped in an old practice of selecting an individual for sacrifice. Various characters play significant symbolic roles, with the children exemplifying how the next generation adopts customs without skepticism. The names of notable residents, Mr. Summers and Mr. Graves, also carry symbolic weight; Summers signifies the perennial nature of this custom akin to seasonal cycles, while Graves signifies the silence surrounding the fatalities. Jackson engages the audience through suspense, ultimately shocking them when revealing that the lottery's purpose is to choose a sacrificial victim. This unexpected twist enhances the story's impact, compelling readers to respond emotionally.
Response: The personification of "Prudence" resulted in an Ethos effect.
Clarification:
Personification is a rhetorical device that attributes human traits to non-human entities or objects. In the Declaration of Independence excerpt, presenting "prudence" as if it could command action allowed the notion that it is an inanimate entity capable of making dictates.
Prudence refers to an individual's capability to assess variables and their potential repercussions prior to making decisions. By attributing characteristics of personification to prudence, the author implied that it should be regarded as a guiding authority that demands attention and adherence to its principles.
This method invoked a rhetorical Ethos appeal. Such an appeal relies on the trustworthiness, expertise, and standing of the individual presenting the argument, which in this context is "prudence." An authority in their field would lend credibility to their assertions. The argument fundamentally leans on the endorsement or judgment of a recognized expert.
Answer:
Gary Soto includes the imagery of Alfonso's thumb in the passage to show that he is bothered by getting his hands dirty.
Explanation:
The author describes Alfonso's thumb as wrinkled, tired, and pinkish, illustrating his aversion to dirtiness. The comparison indicates that his thumbs resemble a person who has soaked for too long in a bathtub, leading us to conclude that the imagery emphasizes his dislike for mess.
Answer:"Wheels" refers to the automobile wheels starting to rotate as Milo contemplates. Additionally, it signifies the "wheels" of Milo's thoughts beginning to churn after a period of inactivity in thinking.
