Question

William Faulkner's Nobel Prize Speech: "his griefs grieve on no universal bones, leaving no scars" What is the rhetorical purpose: to exemplify good writing as a model for young writers, to encourage people to write even though they may be grieving; to point out the lack of depth in contemporary writing; to praise the encouraging nature of contemporary writing; to emphasize the need to write about grief

Answer 1

The rhetorical purpose of the phrase "his griefs grieve on no universal bones, leaving no scars" in William Faulkner's Nobel Prize Speech is primarily to emphasize the need to write about grief. By highlighting the personal and unique nature of individual suffering, Faulkner suggests that authentic and meaningful writing should engage with deep, universal themes such as grief. This statement serves as a call for writers to explore and convey their own emotional depth, rather than producing shallow or insipid work. In this context, it underscores the importance of grappling with the complexities of human experience as a vital aspect of good literature.