First: Using your own words, give an example of rhetoric that you have seen or heard in Coming to America.
Then: Identify how the rhetoric is being created. (How is meaning being made? How is the film persuading the audience? What is the rhetoric, or the argument?)
Example of rhetoric in Coming to America:
One example of rhetoric in Coming to America is when Prince Akeem delivers a powerful speech to his father, King Jaffe, and the Zamundan council. He argues that he should be allowed to follow his heart and choose his own bride instead of being forced into an arranged marriage. He passionately appeals to their sense of justice and fairness, emphasizing the importance of love and compatibility in a marriage.
Creating the rhetoric: The film creates this rhetoric through powerful and emotional language, as well as the use of persuasive visual elements. Prince Akeem's speech is filled with meaningful words and phrases that evoke a sense of urgency and importance, such as "heart," "choice," "love," and "compatibility." The use of close-up shots and reactions from the characters, showing their agreement or disagreement, further enhances the persuasive effect of the rhetoric.
The rhetoric in this scene is persuading the audience by highlighting the universal values of love and freedom of choice in marriage. It argues that arranged marriages based solely on social hierarchy or duty are unfair and unjust. By presenting Prince Akeem as a sympathetic character who desires a true connection with his partner, the film seeks to persuade the audience to support his cause and challenge the traditional norms of arranged marriages.
First: In the movie "Coming to America," there is a scene where Prince Akeem, played by Eddie Murphy, arrives in New York City and encounters various individuals, including a woman named Lisa, played by Shari Headley. In this scene, Akeem's rhetoric revolves around his desire to find true love and pursue a genuine connection with Lisa.
Then: The rhetoric in this instance is created through a combination of dialogue, body language, and emotional appeal. Akeem's persuasive argument stems from his sincere passion for finding authentic love, which is conveyed through his words and actions. The film persuades the audience by depicting Akeem as a genuinely kind and honest character who is willing to go to great lengths to find true love. This creates an emotional connection with the audience, making them root for Akeem's quest and the potential love story between him and Lisa. The rhetoric here revolves around the idea that love can cross cultural barriers, and the audience is convinced of this argument through Akeem's genuine approach and relatable desire for love.
Rhetoric is a persuasive technique that is used to influence the beliefs or actions of an audience. In the movie "Coming to America," there is a scene where the character Akeem, played by Eddie Murphy, delivers a speech in a barbershop. Akeem is trying to convince the people that he is in love with a woman and wants to marry her, despite the disapproval of his father, the king.
The rhetoric in this scene is created primarily through the use of emotional appeals. Akeem emphasizes his genuine love and deep feelings for the woman, highlighting the power of love and the importance of following one's heart. He also appeals to the sense of fairness and understanding by asking the barbershop patrons to consider their own experiences with love and the need for acceptance.
Additionally, Akeem uses humor to create a connection with the audience, making them more receptive to his arguments. His witty remarks and playful banter engage the audience and keep their attention.
By employing emotional appeals, relatable experiences, and humor, the film persuades the audience to empathize with Akeem and support his desire to marry the woman he loves. The rhetoric of the scene encourages the audience to challenge traditional expectations and embrace the power of love and personal choice.