What I Can Do
Activity 4. Look Mel Question Mel
Directions: Identify the rhetorical question used in the speech provided and try to
glve your impression or your own understanding.
A. Catch 22 by Joseph Heller
That spring, in the bustle of grooming
and riding and shoeing, I remember I let him go
to a neighbor I thought was a friend, and the following
fall she sold him down the river
Oh Jack, tethered in what rough stall alone
did you remember that one good winter?
B. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
JULIET: Tis but thy name that is my enemy;
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other namel
What's in a name that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet...
C. Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
"Take some more tea,' the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly,
I've had nothing yet,' Alice replied in an offended tone, so I can't take more.'
"You mean you can't take less,' said the Hatter: "it's very easy to take more than
nothing.'
"Nobody asked your opinion,' said Alice.
"Who's making personal remarks now' the Hatter asked triumphantly.

A. Maxine Kumin's poem "Jack" concerns a horse she once owned. The poem describes a winter in which Jack, the horse, had everything he could want-warms stables, plenty of food. the final line of the poem in which Kumin asks, "did you remember that one good winter? " is tragic in that it shows her grief and remorse for letting him go. She is asking this question only to try to bring comfort to herself.

B.

Shakespeare used many rhetorical questions in his plays and poems. In these rhetorical question examples, Juliet wonders aloud the meaning of a name. She is not asking for an answer, but instead emphasizing the frustration she has that it is only a name that separates her from her greatest love.

C.

Lewis Carroll used many rhetorical devices in Alice in Wonderland, especially when Alice encounters the Mad Hatter. In this rhetorical question example, the Mad Hatter says "Who's making personal remarks now? " to insinuate that Alice is being the rude one of the groups.