Forms of appeal

Pathos

“Coming to America, to clean” by Ana Maria Corona is constructed by using pathos (appeal to emotions) as the main rhetorical strategy. Through Antonia’s story, the writer wants to stir readers’ emotions so that they empathise with the woman’s situation.

The start of the text mentions happiness: “I was happy enough, but my friends always talked about getting married or leaving town” (p. 32, ll. 3-5). This reference helps readers to realise that Antonia was once a happy child in her Mexican village, which makes her more likable.

The parts describing the process of crossing the border illegally stir negative emotions, such as fear and uncertainty: “On the night we were to go, I was terrified. […] I was nervous and scared, and couldn't eat a thing.” (p. 23, ll. 4-8); “I felt like I'd jumped off a bridge and was washing down the river” (p. 34, ll. 52-54). By presenting readers the fear Antonia experienced, the author intends to make them empathise with her.

Finally, Antonia often talks about how she feels in the US: “I like ...