Period 5
AP English
In the oration to Governor Isaac I. Stevens by Chief Seattle, Seattle uses figurative language and structural organization to convey his purpose. Seattle's purpose is to show the US government that even if his tribe is physically moved or not on earth, they will continue to live spiritually among the americans since the dead do in fact contain power within.
Seattle uses examples of figurative language throughout his pration. He uses similes to compare the americans to grass which “cover vast prairies” bountiful than trees, but the trees, as the Indians, have been there much longer and are rooted to the land (P1). This simile emphasize the purpose of Seattle to show the Americans how they “will never be alone” ever again (P7). Seattle uses a parallelism to show the eventual fate of his tribe to show his stance on the American proposal but through an extended metaphor shows the hope through the light of the stars in the dark Indian night since his people will never “forget the beautiful world” which they are attached upon (P5). Through these examples of figurative language, Seattle conveys his purpose of his tribe always being among the americans spiritually.
Seattle uses different types of structural organization. Seattle uses chisamic structure to emphasize the differences between the “two distinct races” (P4). However, most importantly Seattle uses chiasmic structure to emphasize the connection between the tribe and thier land. Through the chiasmic structure, Seattle conveys his purpose that the connection between the people of his tribe will eternally remain even through the push of the indians westward. Seattle forebodingly issues the US government a warning that the death of his tribe will be a “mournful memory” which shall linger on the americans (P2). Through this warning, the death of Seattle’s tribe will remain on the hands, lands and life of America which completely shows the Chief’s purpose.
In the long run, Seattle’s purpose of his people continuously be with the americans spiritually is conveyed through his use of figurative language and structural organization.
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