Analysis

Here are the key elements which will help with your analysis of “Only Love and Then Oblivion” by Ian McEwan.

The rhetorical situation is connected to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on US soil. The writer is Ian McEwan, , a well-known author. The text is an article published in The Guardian, a British newspaper. The readers are mainly those who have witnessed the attacks, either in person or on television.

The composition of the article is straightforward. The headline suggests the main topic: the importance of empathy and human connections. The article focuses on the emotional impact of the 9/11 attacks.

The style of language reflects the emotional tone of the article. The language is formal and uses complex vocabulary. The use of the first-person plural pronoun “we” connects the readers to the text and suggests the emotional trauma shared by all those who witnessed the attacks.

The article uses several rhetorical devices, meant to make the reader feel an emotional connection with the events. Direct address and rhetorical questions are used to highlight the importance of empathy and to contrast it with the attitude of the hijackers.

Pathos is the dominant form of appeal in the article. The writer appeals to feelings of grief and anger, but also compassion, showing that he is talking about a universal tragedy. 

The writer uses both direct and indirect argumentation. In this way, the article shows how 9/11 affected people, even those who were not directly involved. 

Further help

Do you want additional help with analysis of non-fiction? See our general guide to non-fiction analysis.