Analysis of Rhetoric in "The Dance" Performed by Garth Brooks

Austin Chandler 2/5/09 English 102 Rhetoric Essay

Analysis of Rhetoric in “The Dance” Performed By Garth Brooks
The song “The Dance” by Garth Brooks uses rhetoric in different ways. One of the first rhetoric techniques the writer uses is imagery. Also, the writer uses pathos, or emotional appeal, to reach out to the listener. Lastly, mood is used effectively to pull the listener into the song. Throughout the song, the writer is trying to convince the reader that the pain that comes with the end of a relationship is worth the experience.
Imagery is used throughout the song to give the reader something to focus on. In the first part of the song, it refers to “the dance we shared ‘neath the stars above”, reflecting a romantic scene that was playing out in the story that the writer is telling. In the second verse, the writer talks about how “for a moment wasn’t I a king.” This imagery is used to illustrate that he was feeling on top of the world when he was dancing with that special person. The king imagery goes on to the next line, with him saying “But if I’d only know how the king would fall.” The fall represents how hurtful it would be to leave or be left by his dancing partner.
The writer uses pathos, also known as emotional appeal, to convey the meaning of the song. First, the writer communicates to the reader how a good relationship should be. Then, the writer goes on to describe how horrible it can be to end a relationship. The readers and listeners can relate because they know how bad break-ups can be. Lastly, the writer states that if you try to avoid the pain that you could experience, you would miss out on the good times in a relationship. This statement reaches people on a personal level. The pathos that was used in this song enables the readers and listeners to connect with the subject of the song.
The mood is very important in the song. It helps the listener understand how the writer is feeling about the subject matter. When Garth Brooks is singing the song, the mood is somber, yet reflective. These two main moods encourage the readers and listeners to take the message in the song more seriously. Without this component, the song would not be as powerful as it is.
The video that went with the song worked very well. First, the images help to clarify what the song is really about. Also, the choices the director makes help the audience to focus more on the song. Lastly, the video uses emotional appeals to stir the audience. Without this video, we would have only understood half of the meaning behind the song.
The video that accompanies the song works very well with it. In the video, clips are shown of great loves and people throughout twentieth century. At one point, you see President John F. Kennedy with his family, showing their private dance. He also shared a public dance with the American people as their president. It was horrible that he was assassinated so young in life, but the people would still want him to be the president knowing he would die. Next, Martin Luther King Jr. is shown holding one of his children and talking with his wife. If Martin Luther King hadn’t fought for civil rights, we would have been in a very different world, which makes his sacrifice even more important.
There are more influential people shown throughout the video. The actor John Wayne and his wife are another pair. He was a great movie star who died of cancer. His example sends the message that if even if he had not been film, we would not have the types of westerns and classic movies that we have today. Also, the crew of the space shuttle Challenger is shown preparing to board the ship, not that they will return to Earth. Lane Frost, a world champion bull rider, is seen doing what he loved. He died during one of the bull riding competitions. Lastly, Keith Whitley, a country singer, is seen with his wife, Lorrie Morgan, dancing. Keith would later die due to a drinking problem. If these people had known the outcome, would they have danced the same dance?
The way the director shot the video helps the audience focus more on the song. The video starts with Garth Brooks explaining what the song is about. This strategy helps give the audience a sense of what they are about to see and listen to. Then the video continues with Garth Brooks singing and playing his guitar to the song. Usually, directors try to make the most abstract videos which take away from the meaning of the song. With only Garth Brooks in the video, the audience pays full attention to what he is singing. The clips in the video help the audience understand the meanings more than the clips distract audience. Of all the ways to shoot the video, this was the most effective.
The song “The Dance” performed by Garth Brooks effectively uses rhetoric. The song uses imagery to draw in the audience. Pathos is also used to create an emotional link between the writer, the performer, and the audience. Third, mood is used to create an atmosphere where the audience can understand the deeper meanings of the song. If the writer had not used these techniques, the song would not be as great as it is now.



Lyrics:
Looking back on the memory of The dance we shared 'neath the stars alone For a moment all the world was right How could I have known that you'd ever say goodbye And now I'm glad I didn't know The way it all would end the way it all would go Our lives are better left to chance I could have missed the pain But I'd have had to miss the dance Holding you I held everything For a moment wasn't I a king But if I'd only known how the king would fall Hey who's to say you know I might have changed it all And now I'm glad I didn't know The way it all would end the way it all would go Our lives are better left to chance I could have missed the pain But I'd have had to miss the dance Yes my life is better left to chance I could have missed the pain but I'd have had to miss the dance
Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0-laiA7gI