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Read the following passage from "Resistance to Civil Government" by Henry David Thoreau:

The mass of men serve the state thus, not as men mainly, but as machines, with their bodies. They are the standing army, and the militia, jailers, constables, posse comitatus, etc. In most cases there is no free exercise whatever of the judgment or of the moral sense; but they put themselves on a level with wood and earth and stones; and wooden men can perhaps be manufactured that will serve the purpose as well.

How does Thoreau use logos in this passage?


A. By overwhelming the readers with examples that have strong connotations

B. By evoking in his reader feelings of fear associated with armies and jails

C. By showing the soundness of his argument through a number of analogies

D. By supporting his opinion with evidence from a number of different fields

2 Answers

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Answer: C. By showing the soundness of his argument through a number of analogies.

Step-by-step explanation: There are many kinds of rhetorical devices used in writing or speaking to convince the audience of an argument about a controversial topic. One of the most common is "logos" which is an appeal to the audience's logic. In the given passage from "Resistance to Civil Government" by Henry David Thoreau, we can see an example of the use of logos by showing the soundness of his argument through a number of analogies (like comparing the mass of men with machines).

User Jrabary
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the answer is C, by showing soundness of his argument through a number of analogies. :)

User Desa
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