Final answer:
A rhetorical question in literature is used to emphasize a point or create a dramatic effect rather than to seek an answer. It can highlight themes like mistrust or confusion, and engage readers in the narrative, as seen in the example where the character questions her father's intentions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rhetorical question is a literary device where a question is asked not to receive an answer, but instead to emphasize a point or create a dramatic effect. In the context provided, the rhetorical question highlights the confusion and mistrust the character feels towards her father, suggesting that she is considering the possibility that there could be some deceit involved in her being called to him.
Moreover, the use of this technique engages the reader to ponder upon the underlying issues of trust and expectation within the narrative.
Rhetorical questions can be employed in various ways, such as to challenge the audience, to provoke thought, or to underline a theme or emotion the author wishes to emphasize. For example, when an author asks, "Do you think poverty will go away by itself?" they are not seeking an actual response, but rather encouraging the audience to consider the complexities of the issue.
Through rhetorical questions and other rhetorical devices like understatement and dialogue, writers can bring depth to their characters and engage with their readers on a more profound level, ultimately shaping the reading experience and the interpretation of the text.