Rhetorical Analysis of de Crèvecoeur’s ​Letters from an American Farmer

J. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur, a European-born aristocrat, immigrated to America

during the colonial era, when America was just beginning to shape its identity. In this excerpt, de

Crèvecoeur argues that an American is a European, or one of European descent, who immigrated

to America because Europe insufficiently provided for him. Thusly he aims to elevate the status

of America and Americans. de Crèvecoeur argues primarily through the use of logical reasoning,

emotional connection, and rhetorical question.

The majority of this excerpt reasons with the reader, forcing the reader to seriously

consider his position. de Crèvecoeur’s argument is unpopular, so ​Letters from an American

Farmer​ had to make extensive use of logical defense. The author begins his logical reasoning by

posing a rhetorical question, definitively answering it, and then providing further logical

evidence for his claim: “In this great American asylum, the poor of Europe have by some means

met and in consequence of various causes; to what purpose should they ask one another what

countrymen they are? Alas, two thirds of them had no country” (1). The entire excerpt is a

succession of similar questions, meant to lead the reader to an array of de Crèvecoeur’s

conclusions.

Because the topic that de Crèvecoeur discusses is highly objective and unprovable by

facts, the author uses rhetorical questions to make the reader think sincerely and come to de

Crèvecoeur’s opinions. de Crèvecoeur’s questions, which are noticeably exaggerated, make

alternatives to his claims seem absurd and insensitive: “What attachment can a poor European

have to a country where he had nothing?” (2). He also uses rhetorical question in order to

organize the essay and smoothly transition into different issue. Therefore de Crèvecoeur does not
only use rhetorical questions as a rhetorical and logical device, but also a device of organization

and style.

Another way that de Crèvecoeur convinces his audience is through empathy. Throughout

the essay, de Crèvecoeur appeals to the reader’s pity for the poor European farmer who was

given little to nothing for his labor. By presenting America as a refuge and Alma Mater, de

Crèvecoeur makes the reader want to recognize provisioning America as a homeland just as

honorable as the unmerciful Europe. de Crèvecoeur describes the American as he who is

“received in the lap of our great ​Alma Mater”​ (1).

Although de Crèvecoeur’s claim was not one to be quickly adopted by native Europeans,

the author was able to effectively argue his position. By using rhetorical questions and making

logical arguments throughout, and by appealing to the audience’s sense of empathy, de

Crèvecoeur successfully argued for the respect of Europeans for America and for the American.