Introduction
The Communist Manifesto is a summary of a variety of claims and theories constructed by Marx and Engels. Namely, the authors have highlighted that society is divided into two primary classes: the bourgeois and the proletarians. The bourgeois control the means of production and exploit the proletarians. Moreover, other claims include the fact that capitalism is self-descriptive and that societies should aim for a socialist and communist system. It is evident that rhetoric is applied to persuade the audience to accept the aforementioned claims. Specifically, ethos is implemented through persuasion through the arguments concerning the validity of Engels and Marx. The writers used a modified classical model of organization by including exordium, narratio, partitio, confirmatio, and peroratio; they developed an ethos by emphasizing their credibility; and they applied repetitions, metaphors, and hyperboles.
Modified Classical Model
The Communist Manifesto was designed as a pamphlet that would contain ideas correlating with communism. However, the authors aim to persuade the readers to join their ideas and believe in the ideals described in the text rather than simply acquire the provided information. For example, some components of the modified classical model of argument – exordium, narratio, partitio, confirmatio, and peroratio – are evident in the text. Exordium serves as a speech introduction that frequently uses the persuading appeal to gain the attention of the audience as well as to indicate the topic and aim of the discourse. The exordium is shortly followed by a narratio – a narrative recount of what took place and a general explanation of the case’s nature – and a propositio – a sort of summary of the facts or an assertion of the charge. Partitio is the last element of a persuasive introduction; also referred to as divisio, it follows the explanation of the facts. According to what has been presented as the issue in the given case, the speaker discusses what will happen in the next phases of the oration.
In the case of the Communist Manifesto, all these features are represented in the introductory paragraph. In the exordium, the authors introduce the text with a hook by stating, “A spectre stalks the land of Europe – the spectre of communism” (Marx and Engels 237). This metaphor immediately captures the reader’s attention and generates interest. The authors include narration by providing the background for the topic, namely inquiring about the contemporary political opposition (Marx and Engels 237). Then, the authors outline the manifesto in the form of two statements explaining the need for the manifesto.
Confirmatio, or the major body of the speech, succeeds the introduction. It is when the speaker presents logical arguments for support. Understandably, that is the main body of the manifesto, divided into several logically connected chapters. Last but not least, peroration is present in the call to action, emphasizing the importance of a “forcible overthrow of all social order up to now” (Marx and Engels 260). Overall, this rhetorical structure has facilitated the establishment of a credible argument.
Ethos
Above everything else, ethos, also often referred to as an ethical argument or appeal, is a persuasive argument or appeal used in classical rhetoric that is based on the speaker’s or writer’s character. Among its main features are virtue, kindness, and practical wisdom, which all constitute an effective ethos. In this context, the introduction presented in the Communist Manifesto manages to kill two birds with one stone – it predisposes the public by its persuasiveness and establishes the first two components of ethos. According to Marx and Engels, they intend to “lay before the world their perspectives, their goals, their principles, and a counterpoint to the horror stories of communism” (237). In other words, their virtue lies in their genuine desire to peacefully manifest the purpose of communism in light of the witch-hunt enacted against it. In the meantime, they display their kind intentions – goodwill – by announcing the manifest in such a manner.
Consequently, in the confirmatio part of the manifest, they continuously display practical wisdom by showcasing their credibility in choosing the presented course of action. In other words, the aforementioned text contains the rhetorical appeals that impact readers through the highlighting of the validity of the authors. The credibility of Marx, for example, is mentioned by Engels himself, who stated, “Marx, the man to whom the whole working class of Europe and America owes more than to anyone else” (Marx and Engels, “Preface to the 1833 German Edition,” 6). Similarly, the authors have established their credibility and their argument by including the historical background of classes, stating, “In ancient Rome, we have patricians, knights, plebeians, and slaves” (Marx and Engels 237). This way, Marx and Engels indicate the comprehensiveness of their evaluation, thus reassuring their potential stakeholders. As a result, the ethos has been established both by highlighting the characters of the writers and their knowledge and expertise in the topic.
Rhetorical Devices
A variety of rhetorical devices are included to further persuade the readers. In particular, the authors’ main goal here is to induce specific emotions of fear in the face of the bourgeoisie dominating the world. For example, the repetitions in “struggles between exploited and exploiters, between dominated and dominating classes” emphasize the argument’s emotional connotation (Marx and Engels, “Preface to the 1833 German Edition,” 6). This example is not singular within the text of the manifest; Marx and Engels make sure they emphasize the overwhelming dominance of elites over the world in general and the working class in particular. Contextually, the word “bourgeoisie almost always appears alongside words with a negative connotation, whereas the word “working class has a positive one.
Apart from repetition, authors often utilize metaphors to express their respective viewpoints. For instance, communism is referred to as a “spectre,” indicating the way current governments view the movement. Moreover, the authors reflect on the “open struggle” between classes, the metaphor highlighting the tension between diverse socioeconomic groups (Marx and Engels 14). Similarly, the hyperbole in which Engels and Marx describe capitalism benefiting the bourgeoisie – “the need for a constantly expanding outlet for their products pursues the bourgeoisie over the whole world” – is generated through exaggeration (Marx and Engels 239). In this context, exaggeration or hyperbole is used with the same purpose as repetition – to instill fear and prompt people to act. Overall, these measures are applied to convince people that the listed ideas are true.
Conclusion
The Communist Manifesto contains a variety of rhetorical appeals designed to persuade the audience. First of all, the text is designed based on the modified classical model of organization since it includes an exordium, narratio, partitio, confirmatio, and peroratio. Second, the ethos presented in the paper is established by reflecting on the credibility of the authors as well as their expertise. Third, rhetorical devices, including repetitions, hyperboles, and metaphors, have been employed.
Works Cited
Marx, Karl, and Frederick Engels. “Preface to the 1883 German Edition.” Manifesto of the Communist Party. Translated by Samuel Moore, Marxists Internet Archive, 1848. Web.
Marx, Karl, and Frederick Engels. Manifesto of the Communist Party. Translated by Terrel Carver, Course Handout, 1848.