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Rhetoric
Within Pattern Analysis, rhetoric is the persuasive portion of a literary unit based on its structure. Certain locations within each literary unit are potentially persuasive–they are presented below for the sake of analysis. Normally, many of the potential locations can be persuasive, but often not all. The student is encouraged to listen to what the Holy Spirit seems to be emphasizing.
The imperfect form of the chiasm is a powerful literary device that uses an asymmetric imbalance to bring emphasis on a portion of the structure. An imperfect chiasm is seen when an extra or absence is presented (such as A-C-D-D'-C'-B'-A'), or a transposition (A-B-C-X-C'-A'-B') is detected. The place of imperfection is almost always emphatic.
In a chiasm, these are the two A elements: A-B-C-C'-B'-A'. Oftentimes an emphasis may be found in these locations.
Also known as conjugate pairs. It is any two elements that are paired with each other. In some cases, the pair may be emphatic even though they are not in a position of emphasis such as first/first or first/last. For example, in a chiastic A-B-C-X-C'-B'-A' structure, the two B elements might add considerable conviction to the reader or listener.
Also known as conjugate pairs. It is any two elements that are paired with each other. In some cases, the pair may be emphatic even though they are not in a position of emphasis such as first/first or first/last. For example, in a chiastic A-B-C-X-C'-B'-A' structure, the two B elements might add considerable conviction to the reader or listener.
The expected elements have been re-arranged, e.g. A-B-C-X-B'-C'-A'. When a transposition appears, the location of one element is interchanged with another; an intentional relocation. Transpositions appear in imperfect chiasms and parallel symmetries. The emphasis appears either in the element that is transposed or in the one which has been dislocated. That is, in an A-B-C-X-B'-C'-A' structure, either the B' or C' elements would be emphatic.
An emphasis or turning point that is at the logical center of a structure. It is either an X in the middle of a chiasm, parallel symmetry, immediate repetition, or list is a center point, or if two elements appear at the center of a chiasm rather than an X, those two elements are the center point. For example, X is the center point of A-B-C-X-A'-B'-C', and C-C' is the center point of A-B-C-C'-B'-A'.
A summarization that concludes a basic structure which is designated with the letters SUM. For example, A-B-C-A'-B'-C'-SUM. A closing summary is also known as a concluding epitome, final unit, and an epilogue. It serves two functions: to summarize and to motivate. It is always emphatic and should be easily detected.
This IMPERFECT CHIASM begins the sad story of Jerusalem′s fall. Several key points about this are:
1) The TRANSPOSITION of the A′ element stresses Jerusalem′s new situation in forced labor. Just as the gates are desolate with no one to the appointed feasts, so the A′ element stands alone in its location above the X element.
2) There is an INTENSIFICATION of Jerusalem′s plight toward the X element: abandoned--no comforters--no rest--desolation--the Lord acted because of the transgressions--no strength--no helpers. No one stands with her and she receives continual torment because of what she did to herself.
3) In the X CENTER POINT there is immediate recognition that the Lord brought His retribution because of her many sins.
4) In the CLOSING SUMMARY, it is recognized that Jerusalem has greatly sinned. Not to be taken literally, the figurative mess created by her uncleanness causes the picture to become personal. As a result, her falling is astonishing. She has lost all the respect of those who knew her so that no one can comfort her. Show More Rhetoric Show Less Rhetoric
CHIASM (IMPERFECT):
... the Lord brought adversaries to deal with Jerusalem′s transgressions ...
a title
BEGINNING MARKER: How lonely sits the city That was full of people! (v1A)
Jerusalem is abandoned
A
She has become like a widow Who was once great among the nations! She who was a princess among the provinces Has become a forced laborer! (v1B)
no one comforted her; her friends are her adversaries
B
She weeps bitterly in the night And her tears are on her cheeks; She has none to comfort her Among all her lovers. All her friends have dealt treacherously with her; They have become her enemies. (v2)
she has no rest
C
Judah has gone into exile under affliction And under harsh servitude; She dwells among the nations, But she has found no rest; All her pursuers have overtaken her In the midst of distress. (v3)
TRANSPOSITION: Jerusalem is desolate and bitter
A′
The roads of Zion are in mourning Because no one comes to the appointed feasts. All her gates are desolate; Her priests are groaning, Her virgins are afflicted, And she herself is bitter. (v4)
the Lord brought adversaries because of her transgressions
X
Her adversaries have become her masters, Her enemies prosper; For the Lord has caused her grief Because of the multitude of her transgressions; Her little ones have gone away As captives before the adversary. (v5)
she has no strength
C′
All her majesty has departed from the daughter of Zion; Her princes have become like deer That have found no pasture; And they have fled without strength Before the pursuer. (v6)
no one helped her; her adversaries mocked her
B′
In the days of her affliction and homelessness Jerusalem remembers all her precious things That were from the days of old, When her people fell into the hand of the adversary And no one helped her. The adversaries saw her, They mocked at her ruin. (v7)
CLOSING SUMMARY: Jerusalem has greatly sinned and here are the effects
SUM
Jerusalem sinned greatly, Therefore she has become an unclean thing. All who honored her despise her Because they have seen her nakedness; Even she herself groans and turns away. Her uncleanness was in her skirts; She did not consider her future. Therefore she has fallen astonishingly; She has no comforter. (v8,9A)