Melton 1 Isabelle Melton Ms. Leaphart English 3 AP 14 December 2017 Between The World And Me Rhetorical Analysis In the nonfiction book Between the World and Me, written by Ta-Nehisi Coates, the author writes a letter to his son detailing his experience of being an African American in the United States. Throughout his book, Coates discusses growing up in the ghettos, going to college, and eventually working in New York City. At the end of his book, Coates introduces three purposes to the reader and his son that help finalize what his book is about. Coates uses rhetoric to argue that being black is powerful despite the discrimination and violence perpetrated by the Dreamers against them and that struggling is what gives life purpose and meaning. On pages 147-149, Coates purpose is to prove to his son that being black is powerful even though they are oppressed. The author s colloquial and informative word choice demonstrates to the reader that black people have created their own culture that is powerful and inspiring. Coates writes We have taken the one-drop rules of Dreamers and flipped them. They made us into a race. We made ourselves into a people (Coates 149). The one-drop rule was a negative term created by white people meant to describe any person who had one drop of African American blood. By referencing this in his word choice, Coates is demonstrating that African Americans were powerful enough to overcome the inferior position Dreamers put African Americans in and become something greater. Furthermore, Coates uses the informative term race that has a set definition and compares it to the broader term described by people. This
Melton 2 further proves that African Americans did not stay within the bounds that were set for them. They defied their conditions and strived for something better. Coates inspirational allusions proves that African Americans have accomplished great things. Coates references numerous celebrities who were black such as Billie Holiday, Dre, and Mobb Deep (Coates 149). These allusions help show that being black does not mean that one is inferior and subjected to a horrible life. The black people had to struggle to get what they want, but they deserve the recognition they got. These allusions help defy the stereotype installed by the Dreamers that argue that black people should be lesser than white people. Coates use of word choice and allusions helped strengthen his argument that being black is a strength, not a weakness, and is powerful. On pages 150-151, Coates purpose is to convince the reader that Dreamers plunder of the Earth will result in destruction for all races. Coates blunt syntax creates a stark contrast between other people s thoughts and his thoughts. At first, Coates is discussing two black peoples views on the Dreamers, and he states that these men thought that the Dreamers must reap what they have sown (Coates 150). He then interrupted these ideas with a curt no, and signals a change in thought (Coates 150). He argues against this idea and states that should the Dreamers reap what they had sown, we would reap it right with them (Coates 150). This break up in syntax helps demonstrate to the reader the stark difference between these two ideas. It also puts emphasis on this idea as the breakup in sentence structure causes the reader to re-engage with the material. When talking about the Dreamers plundering the Earth, Coates startling personification of earth demonstrates that the people must solve the problem of plundering, and not the Earth. Coates states the Earth is not our creation. It has no respect for us and its
Melton 3 vengeance is not the fire in the cities but the fire in the sky (Coates 150). The fire in the sky symbolizes global warming. By arguing that global warming is caused by the Dreamers, Coates makes the point that it is the Dreamers jobs to fix it. Coates drives his point home when he says and the methods of transport through these new subdivisions is the automobile, the noose around the neck of the earth, and ultimately the Dreamers themselves (Coates 151). Coates is arguing that, unless the Dreamers stop their plunder, they will ultimately be the mode of their own destruction. Coates syntax and literary choices help prove that the Dreamers must stop plundering if they want to survive. On pages 151-152, Coates purpose is to show his son that struggling is what gives life meaning. Coates inspiring anaphora emphasizes that struggling is a good thing. Coates implores his son to struggle for the memory of your ancestors. Struggle for wisdom. Struggle for the warmth of The Mecca (Coates 151). The things that Coates is asking his son to struggle for are what shaped Coates into a knowledgeable human and made him aware of the world. Coates is encouraging his son to not stay willfully ignorant like the Dreamers. He wants his son to struggle in his life because it will ultimately bring him more knowledge and awareness of the world. Coates haunting imagery creates a lasting image in the reader s head that makes the reader feel that there is unfinished business. Coates creates this image when he says I saw the mark of these ghettos - the abundance of beauty shops, churches, liquor stores, and crumbling houses - and I felt the old fear. Through the windshield I saw the rain coming down in sheets (Coate 152). This leaves the reader feeling unsure of the future and causes the reader to struggle with what the ending will be in the future. Coates left this ending unfinished to show that the
Melton 4 struggle is still going on and has not ended. Coates anaphora and imagery emphasize that struggling will always happen, but it is a positive process. Coates use of word choice, literary devices, and syntax help contribute to his purpose of proving that being black is powerful despite racism and that struggling is what makes life meaningful. Coates word choices force the reader to think about what the author is saying and meaning. Coates does this by providing specific and broad terms that help the reader contrast their meanings. Coates use of literary devices puts emphasis on his arguments and details. By repeating certain phrases or personifying the Earth, Coates indicates that he wants the reader to pay attention to these specific details. Finally, his syntax helps create abrupt transitions that re-capture the reader s attention. Coates once again calls attention to certain phrases or ideas by breaking up his longer sentences with short, simple sentences. Overall, Coates use of language draws in the reader and puts emphasis on what he wants the reader to know. While some of Coates language may be hard to understand, he does this purposefully to make the reader reflect on his meaning and purpose. Ta-Nehisi Coates purpose is supported and reinforced by his language, and leaves the reader feeling inspired and wanting change.
Melton 5 Works Cited Coates, Ta-Nehisi. Between the World and Me. Spiegel & Grau, 2015.