Audio (Part 1 of 2)
Without arguing for or against the content of Jonathan Edwards' sermon, let's take a look at some of the techniques (rhetorical devices) and figures of speech he uses to get his point across and rally action from people who read or listen to it.
RHETORICAL DEVICES
Repetition:
"and nothing to lay hold of to save yourself, nothing to keep off the flames of wrath, nothing of your own, nothing that you have ever done, nothing that you can do..."
Parallel Structure:
"they increase more and more, and rise higher and higher..."
Rhetorical questions:
"But alas! Instead of one, how many is it likely will remember this discourse [discussion] in hell?"
Homonyms:
"The wrath of God is like great waters that are dammed for the present."
Allitteration:
"And the fiery floods of the fierceness and wrath of God, would rush forth with inconceivable fury..."
Emotional Appeal:
-Scare Tactics (fear): present throughout
*NAME ONE TIME WHEN FEAR MOTIVATED YOU*
FIGURES OF SPEECH
Simile:
"The wrath of God is like great waters that are dammed for the present; they increase more and more, and rise higher and higher, till an outlet is given; and the longer the stream is stopped, the more rapid and mighty is its course, when once it is let loose."
Metaphor:
"The bow of God's wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string..."
Allusion:
"The floods of God's wrath have been withheld."
Imagery:
"you hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it"
Symbolism:
-God's hands
Part 2 of 2