Gray Suit Rhetorical Analysis

"Gray Suit" rhetorical analysis

By Kandice Linwright

Refer to this poem, and only this poem, from Page 9 in Punching the Air. Analyze this poem specifically for how the author uses rhetoric to advance his purpose (proof a point).

Answer with complete sentences, proper grammar.

Directions:

Open Ended

What does the narrator mean by “optics” when referring to that gray suit?

Multiple Choice

"But that gray didn't make me any less black

My white lawyer didn't make me any less black"

This is an example of what type of rhetorical device?

• Personification

• Metaphor

• Parallelism

• Simile

Multiple Choice

"But that gray didn't make me any less black

My white lawyer didn't make me any less black"

This could also be an example of what other type of rhetorical device?

• Personification

• Metaphor

• Repetition (anaphora)

• Repetition (epistrophe)

Multiple Choice

"Maybe ideas have their own eyes....

Maybe ideas segregate..."

This is an example of what rhetorical device?

• Personification

• Metaphor

• Repetition (anaphora)

• Repetition (epistrophe)

Open Ended

"Maybe ideas have their own eyes....

Maybe ideas segregate..."

In your opinion, what is the narrator referring to?

Multiple Choice

"Our mind's eyes and our eyes' minds"

This is an example of what rhetorical device?

• Personification

• Metaphor

• parallellism

• Repetition (epistrophe)

Open Ended

What is parallelism and why do you think the narrator uses this rhetorical device so often in this particular poem?

Open Ended

 What is the purpose of this poem? What does the narrator hope to achieve with this poem? Be specific. Explain. Complete Sentences!!

Open Ended

How does the narrator use rhetoric to advance his purpose? Explain in detail. Cite evidence from the poem.

Open Ended

Does the narrator achieve his purpose in your point of view? (If your answer is no, how would you restate the poem or rewrite it to be more effective?)