It's All in the Metaphor

How interesting it is when an idea develops and brings people together. My friend, Amos, posted a blog that started with the following quote: "Justice is what Love looks like in public." He asked his readers for their thoughts about such a rhetorical statement. Ironically, the conversation b/t Amos and myself has turned to how to define "rhetoric" and if it should be used...how, when, and why it is often used today.

Then after a lengthy conversation, tonight, at my favorite coffee shop, with people I'd never met- the insight was amazing.

It came down to this: it isn't always WHAT is said, but rather, HOW it is said. You see I believe that rhetorical statements and questions and be used effectively by a person's tone or attitude about the matter.

But let me back up; the definition, understood for "rhetoric" is this: "the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, esp. the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques."

Of course, looking at dictionary.com, I came across definitions like these: the study of the effective use of language or the ability to use language effectively.

Now granted, rhetoric is often stained b/c politics has coined it to express campaign slogans that often mean very little. Companies use catch phrases in their commercials to sell you a product, which isn't necessarily wrong- as their goal is to keep their product in the memory of the viewer. These may be types of rhetorical thought....

But the dictionary's definition clearly defines the word as a metaphor used to explain something that might not be easily understood by the common receptor. It is a way of expression and often considered a skilled form of expression. Such uses of language can clearly express something TRUE and RIGHT. However, it will only be accepted if the delivery is pure of heart. If the oration or notation is harsh- presumptuous - unjust, hurtful, unkind, demanding...then it was un-necessary.

Rhetoric is not a black and white issue. There is a lot of room for grey, here. The person using the phrases, stories or parables has a responsibility in the delivery. The person recieving has a responsibility to take the words for their worth and decide if the rhetoric is useful for them.

But this is only scratching the surface. It is taking on semantics...and it can be complicated. Nevertheless, such an interesting discussion deserved my acknowledgment in a blog. What do you think?