Crafting Convincing: The Rhetorical Mastery of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos in ‘Trickster and the Talking Bulb
1 “Crafting Convincing: The Rhetorical Mastery of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos in ‘Trickster and the Talking Bulb'” The rhetorical strategies of ethos, logos, and pathos are convincingly presented through the intriguing tale “Trickster and the Talking Bulb” from the Winnebago Trickster Cycle. These three ways of persuasion, as described by Aristotle, are fundamental to understanding how stories influence and persuade their audience. This story skillfully makes use of ethos through the credibility of the Trickster, which comes from his smartness and ingenuity. It relates to logos by the skillful logic of the Trickster’s how. This paper explores how ethos, logos, and pathos are masterfully used to create an engaging plot that connects with audiences, providing both cultural illumination and universalizing appeal. In “Trickster and the Talking Bulb,” Radin’s ethos is demonstrated via his careful investigation and provision of information about Winnebago culture. “Radin had started collecting Winnebago stories since the early 1900s” (p. 43), depicting his long-term commitments and increasing the credibility of his work. This prolonged interaction with the Winnebago community indicates that Radin has had adequate exposure to the community’s folklore. The narrative’s portrayal of authenticity is further solidified by Radin’s collaboration with native speakers like Blowsnake and Oliver LaMere in the translations. “Sam Blowsnake wrote the stories while Radin and another Winnebago man, Oliver LaMere collaborated on translating them into English” (p. 43). The partnership with native speakers highlights a culturally respectful approach allowing the story to maintain its authentic essence and meaning. Radin’s use of anonymity reinforces the author’s credibility. He states, “Radin did not hear the stories told, nor did he know the identity of the teller” (p. 43). This anonymity shifts the attention from the storyteller to the cultural stories 2 themselves, allowing them to highlight their inherent value and not the celebrity status of the narrator. The culturally significant and widespread recognizability of the story has also been brought to light. “The story of the trickster and talking ‘laxative bulb’ is well-known across the vast majority of Native American cultures” (p. 43). Such widespread availability indicates a very deep history and the common recognition of the tale in various cultures, which serves to strengthen its authenticity and significance. The emphasis is focused on the cultural value of trickster stories from the Winnebago tradition. “Winnebago culture is rich in the trickster tales” (p. 43). This statement highlights the role of these stories in the understanding of the cultural and moral values of the Winnebago people, which gives the story additional weight as credible and valuable. The story begins with the Trickster’s curiosity, which rationally results in a chain of events. “As he wandered aimlessly around, he suddenly heard someone talking” (p. 43). This series of events is narrated in a sequential logic, which immerses the reader in the Trickster’s journey. The narrative also shows a clear cause-and-effect relationship. A good example is through Trickster’s actions, which have immediate consequences. “Well, it is surely a great thing! After which, he broke wind again with a lot of force that it pushed him forward” (p. 45). This light-hearted and logical events arrangement emphasizes the story’s rational construction. The narrative’s logical consistency is further emphasized through its portrayal of actions and consequences that follow. For instance, the author states, “The next time he snuffed the wind, the hind part of his body was raised up by the force of the explosion, landing on his hands and knees” (p. 45). This line serves a dual purpose. At first, it transports the readers into an absurd world which is what entertains them. Secondly, it plays a vital part in helping to establish the logical sequence by portraying a perfect illustration of how the actions depicted in the story always end in the same way as they were predicted. These events are fueled by the story’s logic 3 that transforms even the most unbelievable things into a reality within the context of its story. By sticking to a cause-and-effect sequence of events, the narrative becomes cohesive, which also helps to smoothly integrate humor into the plot, ensuring that each humorous event is entertaining and continues to drive the plot forward. In summary, this mix of comedy and logic serves as a testimony to the writer’s ingenious imagination, where the most fanciful details still fit into the plot’s pattern. One of the major features of the story “Trickster and the Talking Bulb” is that it reaches the reader emotionally. The author indirectly causes the readers to feel various emotions, from empathy to comedy. The Trickster’s self-analysis, for instance, evokes pity and establishes a sense of deeper connection with the character. For instance, he says to himself, “Well, I guess I am a fool. That’s why they call me Fool One Trickster” (p. 45). This moment of self-awareness connects with the readers, prompting them to empathize with the Trickster and feel his pain and vulnerability at that time. Further, he injects humor and an accurate depiction of events to keep the audience emotionally interested by emphasizing that “He dived in a heap, in the dung. He disappeared out of sight ” (p. 44) These words are funny and sad at the same time, so the audience will laugh and, at the same time, feel compassion for the Trickster. The narrative’s stunning imagery doubles the emotional effect. “His raccoon skin blanket was full of dirt, and he came out, pulling it behind him” (p. 46). The image of the Trickster covered in filth dragging his blanket brings to mind a lonely yet funny picture and invokes a powerful feeling in the viewer. In addition, the pitiful elements are emphasized with the help of the dramatic and emotional aspects of the narrative. “He was almost killed by the fall” (p. 45). This dramatic effect of the story and the tense atmosphere around the main character make the spectators feel as if they are taking part in the Trickster’s hard case. The Trickster also elicits emotional responses from others. “He scared them so much that 4 they immediately pulled down their lodge” (p. 45). This illustration shows the disorder that resulted but also arouses a feeling of fear and concern for the victims of chaos, effectively engaging with the audience on an emotional level. With the excellent employment of ethos, logos, and pathos, “Trickster and the Talking Bulb” comes as a story that has many layers, which makes it appealing from different dimensions. Radin’s scholarly work and the narrative’s cultural authenticity represent credibility, while the logical structure and emotional elements of humor and empathy make the story relatable and impactful. This use of rhetorical strategies is not only entertaining but also informative, giving significant cultural and moral lessons that demonstrate the enduring power and relevance of this narrative both for the Winnebago culture and beyond. Works Cited Levine, Robert S., et al. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 9th edition ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 9 Dec. 2016
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