First: Using your own words, give an example of rhetoric that you have seen or heard in Coming to America.

Question

Then: Identify how the rhetoric is being created. (How is meaning being made? How is the film persuading the audience? What is the rhetoric, or the argument?)

Answer 1

Example of rhetoric in Coming to America:

One example of rhetoric in Coming to America is when Prince Akeem delivers a powerful speech to his father, King Jaffe, and the Zamundan council. He argues that he should be allowed to follow his heart and choose his own bride instead of being forced into an arranged marriage. He passionately appeals to their sense of justice and fairness, emphasizing the importance of love and compatibility in a marriage.

Creating the rhetoric: The film creates this rhetoric through powerful and emotional language, as well as the use of persuasive visual elements. Prince Akeem's speech is filled with meaningful words and phrases that evoke a sense of urgency and importance, such as "heart," "choice," "love," and "compatibility." The use of close-up shots and reactions from the characters, showing their agreement or disagreement, further enhances the persuasive effect of the rhetoric.

The rhetoric in this scene is persuading the audience by highlighting the universal values of love and freedom of choice in marriage. It argues that arranged marriages based solely on social hierarchy or duty are unfair and unjust. By presenting Prince Akeem as a sympathetic character who desires a true connection with his partner, the film seeks to persuade the audience to support his cause and challenge the traditional norms of arranged marriages.