Read the following excerpt from Henry David Thoreau's "Resistance to Civil Government."
When I meet a government which says to me, "Your money or your life," why should I be in haste to give it my money? It may be in a great strait, and not know what to do: I cannot help that. It must help itself; do as I do. It is not worth the while to snivel about it. I am not responsible for the successful working of the machinery of society.
Which of these rhetorical devices does Thoreau most clearly use here?
A.
Parallelism
B.
Logos
C.
Rhyme
D.
Ethos
A. Parallelism
The rhetorical device that Thoreau most clearly uses in this excerpt is A. Parallelism.
To determine which rhetorical device Henry David Thoreau most clearly uses in the given excerpt, we need to understand the purpose and effect of each device.
A. Parallelism: Parallelism is the repetition of grammatical structure in a series of words, phrases, or clauses. It is not present in the excerpt since there is no repetition of similar structure.
B. Logos: Logos refers to the use of logical reasoning or evidence to support an argument. While Thoreau's statement may contain some logical reasoning, it is not the primary rhetorical device being employed.
C. Rhyme: Rhyme is the repetition of similar sounds in the ending syllables of words, typically used in poetry rather than prose. There is no rhyme present in the excerpt.
D. Ethos: Ethos involves establishing credibility or trustworthiness through the speaker's character or authority. This rhetorical device is not explicitly used in the excerpt.
Based on the analysis above, the correct answer is B. Logos, as Thoreau is making a logical argument by questioning the government's authority to demand his money. However, it's worth noting that his statement also has elements of ethos, as he establishes his personal stance and authority on the matter.