Final answer:
Voltaire includes the 'tree' example as a symbolic element that offers a base for literary analysis through characters, plot, and themes, supported by the rhetorical strategies of ethos, pathos, and logos.
Step-by-step explanation:
Voltaire's purpose in including the example of the 'tree' in his essay is multifaceted. When writing an analytical essay about literature, it's crucial to not only express personal reactions but also to substantiate those opinions with evidence from the text.
Voltaire's tree example serves as a symbolic passage that readers could analyze using various methods such as examining the characters, plot, and themes.
A student might start their analysis with a topic sentence highlighting what they consider the strongest point in Voltaire's use of the tree, such as its representation of natural philosophy or personal liberty. Appropriate quotations and a thorough explanation of their influence on the text's meaning are essential to the analysis.
Using strategies like ethos, pathos, and logos could further the discussion, providing a deeper understanding of how Voltaire's rhetorical techniques support his arguments.
Supporting your thesis involves including both paraphrases and direct quotations, and it's important to explain your line of thought to prevent any misinterpretation by the reader. In this case, analyzing the tree could include examining its literal presence in the text as well as its metaphorical significance within the broader themes of Voltaire's work.