First two pages of rhetorical analysis

The gut-wrenching internal struggle which individuals face when engaging a moral question can often be undeniably intense.  This conflict only becomes significantly magnified when that individual is of a firm religious background.  I know that this is a true incidence through my personal experiences.  When I was younger, I often felt that it was an undeniable necessity to bring forth punishments according to the Law of Moses (“An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”).  However, throughout the years, I have been influenced by church teachings which deliver statements along the lines of “Ye have heard it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:  But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5: 38-39).  Through such teachings, my moral understanding has been altered and heightened, for I feel that this religious study has shaped my being in such a way that I now have the ability to grasp higher concepts.  Of course, religion is based around the field of Pathos, which the author uses in his article to almost force the reader to listen to his argument.  Along with this, he applies facts to his article which serve to strengthen his viewpoint and hit a more personal tone in his primary audience.  The author also preys upon a sense of guilt that might arise when considering the occurrence of Osama Bin Laden’s death.

Despite creating intense and difficult statements for many Americans to agree with, Patrick Clark creates a general argument which many would find difficult to disagree with.  The author first includes information that appeals to his primary audience.  He says “should we consider it anything more than a blind coincidence that this momentous attack was carried out on Divine Mercy Sunday?”  This may seem obscure to some readers, but for the intended audience of Catholics a point becomes struck home.  Divine Mercy Sunday was created by Pope John Paul II on the second Sunday of Easter in the year 2000.  Its purpose is to recognize and celebrate the divine mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The author makes this connection in order to draw out the thoughts and emotions associated with their memories of this holiday.  In doing this, he applies his argument to something that they are used to and generally have respect for.  This will help the thought of mercy to in the conscience of his audience.  This moral foundation is a way for Patrick Clark to effectively establish his position in such a way that it will be difficult for an argument to arise later in the paper.