Rhetorical devices

Anecdotes

Mary Annette Pember uses several anecdotes in the article “Death by Civilization”. When she recalls the past, Pember inserts an anecdote which highlights the connection between her and her mother (ll. 56-64). By sharing these intimate details about scenes from her upbringing, Pember helps the readers empathize with her personal story. It also helps the readers understand how much affection Pember still feels for her mother. 

Pember also introduces an anecdote told by her mother, where she finds out about the death of the boarding school’s Mother Superior: 

‘One year during the Christmas season, Sister was marching down the cellar steps to check if we stole any food,’ she said. ‘She fell on the bottom step – crash! She hit her head bad! Not long after, she died.’ ‘What a silent ch...