Rhetorical Analysis Draft

Intro:

When you hear the word “liberty” what do you think of? The Statue of Liberty? The Liberty Bell? The Gadsden Flag and the Liberty Bell are two artifacts that hold within them lots of history and are the epitome for symbols of liberty. Both of these artifacts use their history to instill a strong sense of liberty among the American people.

Body:

Gadsden Flag

  • The snake on the flag is inspired by Ben Franklin’s “Join or Die” political cartoon depicting a rattlesnake cut into pieces representing the colonies. Banded together these pieces would form something strong.
  • After the year 1765 those colonists who became increasingly resentful of interference from the English government came to be know as the “Sons of Liberty”. These “Sons of Liberty” and others who felt similar began using the snake as a symbol representing liberty, American unity, and independence.
  • The symbol of the snake accompanied by the phrase “Don’t tread on me” was first seen on the drums of a few marine units during the revolutionary war. It’s not certain where exactly where this phrase comes from. But think about what happens if you were to step on a snake. It won’t hesitate to fight back. Being tread on and stepped over is not something that Americans should stand for.
  • Named after a colonel in the continental Army, Christopher Gadsden the flag came about when the colonel chose a man named Esek Hopkins to be the commander-in-chief of the Navy. On one of Gadsden’s ships, Hopkins flew the flag that would become known today as the Gadsden Flag.

Analysis

  • There is a lot of American History behind the flag
    • Creates feeling of patriotism
  • Flag is present in political movements making it a part of our culture

Liberty Bell

  • The bell was created in 1751 and was to be placed in Philadelphia. It was to be very special one that would not only call representatives to meetings, but also summon the town’s citizenry to the State House for important events or announcements.
  • It was to be the largest bell in the 13 colonies, with a voice to match its size so that everyone, including those on the outskirts of the province, could hear its ring.
  • Since no bell the size of that envisioned by the Pennsylvania Assembly had ever been cast in America, the legislators decided to have it made in England.
  • The Pennsylvania legislators eager to have the new bell put in place sort of had the bell rushed over. At the first stroke, it cracked, disaster believed to be the result of mishandling on the journey. In 1752 the sea voyage to America was hazardous, and the risk of damage great.
  • The bell was eventually repaired and on August 1753, the refurbished Liberty Bell was place back in Pennsylvania and rang out once again. It would do so for the next 23 years. The Bell would be used to make some of the most important announcements in the country over those years.

Analysis:

  • The Liberty Bell is something we learn about from a very young age. We learn about this as a symbol of liberty from the time we just start learning about the world.
  • Since we are taught about the Liberty Bell at such a young and because of its history the Liberty Bell is ingrained in our culture.
    • Within this culture is a sense of Patriotism that is taught through such artifacts as the liberty bell.
      Viewing liberty as an important aspect of our history is also taught through what we learn with the liberty bell.

Conclusion: Artifacts like the Gadsden Flag and the Liberty Bell use their history and symbolism to create commonplaces of feelings of liberty and patriotism in America.

One thought on “Rhetorical Analysis Draft

  1. I really liked your analyses of these two artifacts. They are long lasting symbols that are engrained with ideas of freedom and unity, which are cornerstones of American society. I am curious to know which of these is the artifact that you’ll be focusing the final essay on. Your explanations of these artifacts were very impressive and if you carry that into the final copy you will have quite the successful essay – sorry “not essay” – on your hands.

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