Language is a powerful tool in invoking anger, disease and sorrow. “Angered and sickened and saddened” is more than just mere words but employs deliberate rhetorical strategies to increase its effect. The article looks at the rhetoric devices that are embedded in this phrase as it outlines the processes employed to convey deep emotional resonance.
Understanding “Angered and Sickened and Saddened”: An Overview

Language has an incredible ability to arouse feelings, provoke thought or call for action. This is what the phrase “angered and sickened and saddened” does by using different rhetorical devices. By taking apart this expression, we can discover how these techniques collaborate to give a vivid statement of great impact.
Key Rhetorical Devices in “Angered and Sickened and Saddened”

1. Polysyndeton: Enhancing Rhythm and Weight
Polysyndeton refers to using conjunctions such as “and” repeatedly. In this case, the reader is slowed down by repetition of “and”, which underlines each emotion separately. The pacing of this phrase is intentional as it reflects the seriousness associated with these feelings that are being expressed here.
- Example in Literature: Polysyndeton is famously used in Charles Dickens’ Bleak House: “There was fog everywhere on the river, fog among green aits and meadows as it flows, and fog moving among shipping.”
2. Rule of Three: Crafting Impact
Here is what this rule states: it suggests that any set of ideas presented as three are more memorable and satisfying than those which violate the rule. The use of “angered,” “sickened,” and “saddened” establishes a triadic structure which heightens emotional impact.
- Example in Oratory: Martin Luther King Jr.’s “insult, injustice, and inequality” employs the Rule of Three to hammer home his message.
3. Alliteration: Adding Subtle Rhythm
“Sickened” or “Saddened” words have repetition of sound ‘s’ which adds musicality to sentence, hence reinforces its emotional attraction secretively.
- Alliteration in Persuasion: Advertisements often use alliteration to make a phrase stick such as Bed Bath & Beyond
4. Parallelism: Creating Harmony
Parallelism refers to the use of similar grammatical structures so that balance is created. This classic example has been given by ‘Angered and sickened and saddened’, where three words share same tense while rhythm rendering harmony and cohesion into expression.
- Historical Example: Abraham Lincoln’s “government of the people, by the people, and for the people demonstrates parallelism.
5. Pathos: Provokes Emotional Involvement
Essentially, this quote hinges around pathos which is one of Aristotle’s rhetorical appeals. Pathos aims to cause emotional reaction and this threesome draws on empathy, sorrow or moral indignation in a listener.
The Power of Language as an Instrument of Psychological Triggers
So why do terms like “angered and sickened and saddened” have such a strong impact? It has to do with how language works in our minds and how it can evoke universally human emotions. By incorporating multiple feelings into the sentence, this phrase achieves a complex emotional mosaic that many readers can associate with personally.
Applications for Such Rhetoric Devices
1. In Literature
Authors use similar phrases to intensify readers’ attachment to characters or occurrences. For example, George Orwell’s 1984 describes Winston’s anguish through emotionally charged words that replicate this layering effect.
2. In Speeches
Great orators employ these techniques to galvanize audiences. For instance, Winston Churchill’s wartime speeches often layered emotions to inspire resilience.
3. In Journalism
Headlines and editorials often use such phrases to evoke immediate emotional responses, driving home the gravity of an event or issue.
Rhetorical Devices and Their Effects
Rhetorical Device | Definition | Effect | Example |
---|---|---|---|
Polysyndeton | Repeated use of conjunctions | Adds emphasis and rhythm | “I came, and I saw, and I conquered.” |
Rule of Three | Presenting ideas in threes | Creates balance and memorability | “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” |
Alliteration | Repetition of consonant sounds | Adds a lyrical quality | “Sickened and saddened” |
Parallelism | Use of similar grammatical structures | Enhances readability and coherence | “By the people, for the people” |
Pathos | Emotional appeal | Engages the audience’s feelings | “Angered, sickened, and saddened” |
How to Spot Similar Rhetorical Devices in Everyday Language
Rhetorical devices are all around us—in advertising, media, and daily communication. To identify them, consider the following:
- Look for patterns: Repetition, structure, or rhythm often signal a rhetorical device.
- Pay attention to emotional tone: Words that elicit strong emotions often use pathos.
- Analyze grammar: Parallelism and polysyndeton rely on consistent grammatical structures.
FAQs
1. Why do people use rhetorical devices?
Language is made more persuasive, memorable or emotionally driven by the use of rhetorical devices.
2. Why does polysyndeton work so well?
The slowed down pacing of sentences through polysyndeton causes readers to pay more attention to each point making it easier for them to comprehend the message.
3. Are there situations where appeal to emotions like pathos can be overdone?
Excessive reliance on pathos can make sound manipulative and less genuine thus reducing the power of the communication.
4. Is formal writing and speeches where rhetoric is limited to?
No, not at all. In fact, they are used greatly in everyday conversations, advertisements as well as casual social media posts too.
5. How do I effectively use rhetorical devices when addressing issues in my writing?
Implement them with reason towards supporting your main message otherwise they could divert from your central idea if misused/overused.
Conclusion
The phrase “Angry, disgusted and saddened” is a great example of how rhetorical strategies can make simple talk turn into deep emotional statements. The use of techniques such as polysyndeton, the Rule of Three and pathos in this sentence shows the power of words to have deep meaning for people. This way, students come to know the literature writers’ secrets on how best they can employ these stylistic devices in order to achieve better results in their work. It is important therefore that anyone who wants to be an effective communicator learns and uses all these tricks.