Question

Read the extract and answer the questions that follow.
Our race has been without a will -without a purpose of its own, for all this length of time. Because of that, we have developed few men who are able to understand the strenuousness of the age in which we live. Where can we find in this race of ours real men? Men of character, men of purpose, men of confidence, men of faith, men who really know themselves, I have come across so many weaklings Who profess to be leaders, and in the test I have found them but the slaves of a nobler class. They perform the will of their masters without question. To me, a man has no master but god.
1.comment on four language features in the excerpt.

Answer 1

1. Anaphora

“men of Character, men of purpose, men of confidence, men of faith, men who really know themselves”.

This feature emphasizes on the type of men the author desires. ‘Real men’

2. Rhetorical question

“Where can we find in this race of ours real men?”

This question has no definite answer. It attracts the attention from readers/audience.

3. Irony

“I have come across so many weaklings who profess to be leaders.”

The statement is ironical. In real sense, weaklings cannot claim leadership. It shows how serious the situation is.

4. Litotes

“To me, a man has no master but god”.

The author gives a negative statement to emphasis that man has only one master (god).

5. Satire

“And in the test I have found them but the slaves of a nobler class”.

The statement is satirical. In one way, the author claims to have found them (‘real mean’) and then contradicts by highlighting the men found are slaves of a nobler class.