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American Jeremiad Rhetorical Analysis

Decent Essays

The Jeremiad tradition derives its roots from the biblical book of Jeremiah in which Jeremiah laments the wrongdoings of the tribe members of Judah. In this text, Judah’s imminent demise is prophesized. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a Jeremiad as a “a lamentation; a writing or speech in a strain of grief or distress” (PG). This paper intends to discuss the American Jeremiad that is distinct in its features and characteristics. The American Jeremiad differentiates itself from the tradition Jeremiad by its distinct addition of hope that asserts it is possible for society to change but the writers hold the realization that America may not succeed. As aforementioned, the American Jeremiad is a rhetorical tradition that attempts to urge society to strive towards a “better” version of itself; however, the effectiveness of the lamentation lies in its distinct features. Winthrop, Edwards, Hughes, and Baldwin all consistently utilize an ideal image of the American nation against which to judge the community. In Winthrop’s compelling speech, he compares America to the biblical city on the hill and like Winthrop, Edwards evaluates a model Christian community to the current state of the community. Both religiously based American …show more content…

Following the fear of consequence rhetoric, he asserts if society does “good” and give to charity then good things will be done to them. Though this logic fits a self-serving narrative, Winthrop’s argument is founded in the logic that the “way to draw men to the works of mercy is to frame these affections of love in the heart [will] produce the effect” (PG). The sheer force of imagery depicted in Winthrop’s speech paints an image of destruction and instills fear as he asserts “Lord will surely break out the wrath against us be revenged of such a perjured people”

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