Analysis #1

I selected a clip from The Big Lebowski to show that Aristotle's Rhetoric Model can be used by anyone. The tone and language used in my clip are not particularly elegant as is usually heard in rhetoric speeches. Walter is using rhetoric throughout his expletive filled speech, and it is shown that rhetoric is no less effective when performed in this way.

First you may ask what exactly is rhetoric? Aristotle defines it as "an ability, in each particular case, to see the available means of persuasion…Persuasion occurs through the argument when we show the truth or the apparent truth from whatever is persuasive in each case." (P.115-116) So rhetoric is used whenever you are speaking to someone and trying to convince them of something, whether it is true or not. There are three main forms of rhetoric: ethos, an appeal based on the character of the speaker; logos, which is an appeal based on logic or reason; and pathos, which is an appeal based on emotion.

There are three characters represented in the clip: Donny, Walter, and the Dude. Walter is using pathos while talking to the Dude about his ruined rug. The Dude was very attached to this rug, he is upset that it was ruined, but he does not think that there is any action to be taken against the man who ruined it. He was going to leave the situation as is, but Walter does not let the subject go, he continues provoking the Dude and his feelings about the rug: “This was a valued rug” and again “That rug really tied the room together, did it not?” (The Big Lebowski). Walter attacks Donny using logos saying he has no frame of reference to enter the conversation or offer an opinion while he continues convincing the Dude that he needs to take action. Walter uses ethos through his appearance, he is on the same level as the Dude, his language also attests to his character, he uses the same language as the Dude. The Dude and Walter are equals. This makes Walter more credible.

Walter is successful in using rhetoric to persuade the Dude that the man he previously considered to be at fault for ruining his rug, is not actually at fault. Instead he shifts the blame to a millionaire and convinces the Dude, using logos, that he should be the one to pay for the rug.

Works Cited
Leitch, Vincent B. et al., ed. The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. New York: Norton,
2001. Print

The Big Lebowski, movie