Rhetoric Study: Pathos

     Jodi Picoult is writing a fictional story based on a realistic event. The thought of a school shooting is frightening, yet is a palpable threat. The story flashes back from present to past constantly so that the reader can see why Peter felt like his plan was the only way out. Picoult uses a strong appeal to pathos to tug at the reader's heart and make them feel sorry for Peter. He was severely bullied since his first day of kindergarden, and continuously tormented throughout his high school life. There were multiple examples of how she would use pathos to trigger the reader's emotions. This technique not only makes the reader sympathize with the main character, but also causes one to contemplate this controversial subject all together.
     One example of an emotional appeal was when the popular girls played a prank on Peter in which they convinced him that Josie had feelings for him. He had recently sent her an email confessing his admiration of her, and her friends secretly spammed it out to the entire school. Peter is extremely lonely and has not had a true friend, his only one being Josie, since elementary school. Courtney maliciously gives him false hope and the reader is forced to watch him suffer through extreme embarrassment. The audience knows that they are harassing him yet again, but one is forced to watch Peter be humiliated continuously. This strongly effects the reader emotionally, because one may feel guilt for ever bullying someone in real life. A strong appeal to pathos causes the reader to contemplate how words and actions can deeply effect someone and cause extreme emotional destruction.
     The entire plot revolves around a traumatic event, which is emotional to read about in and of itself. With Picoult's continuous appeals to pathos, or the reader's emotions, she is not only informing her readers but also teaching them moral values. The reader feels the pain the characters go through, and can identify with their suffering. Through this story, the author turns what is seen as a distant problem, to something overwhelmingly realistic and palpable. The values, beliefs, and understandings of the writer are apparent in the story and are conveyed imaginatively to the reader. Pathos refers to both the emotional and the imaginative impact of the message on an audience. Through this powerful rhetorical strategy, the writer's message moves the audience to decision or action regarding harassment and social pressures in life.