Final answer:
The use of lists and parallel structure in protesting war helps to enhance readability, emphasize key points, and encourage reflection. These rhetorical devices create a rhythmic cadence .
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of lists and parallel structure in writing serves several important functions, particularly when the objective is to protest war or emphasize the gravity of a situation. These rhetorical strategies enhance the impact of the writing by organizing ideas and emphasizing them through repetition and syntactical similarity. In the context of protesting war, such strategies are effectively employed to draw readers into a contemplative state, prompting reflection on the true costs and absurdity of war.
For example, a writer like O'Brien may use a list to itemize the numerous and often personal items that soldiers carry, highlighting the weight and burden of war. With parallel structure, this list can become more than just an inventory; it can underscore the shared experiences of the soldiers, their common humanity, and the universality of their plight. Moreover, parallel structure can either subtly underscore the monotony and senselessness of certain aspects of warfare or hammer home the poignancy of the losses endured.
Parallelism, especially through anaphora (the repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses) and epistrophe (the repetition of the same word or phrase at the end of successive clauses), can turn a piece of prose into a powerful tool for persuasion. It allows key points to resonate more deeply with the reader by presenting them in a way that is rhythmically appealing and easy to remember, thus encouraging reflection on the writer's message.
The creation of a rhythmic cadence through parallel structure not only enhances readability but also draws attention to the main themes and messages of the text. It is often used in conjunction with the first person narrative to create a bond between the speaker and the listener or reader, making the message more personal and immediate. Additionally, the use of active voice in simple, declarative sentences keeps the audience focused on the essential points the author wants to convey and supports the emotional appeal of the piece.