In the short story, "Eleven"," by Sandra Cisneros, the word of protagonist, Rachel, strengthen the persuasive aspect of the passage more than that of her actions; this is because of the ability of words to elicit sympathy from the readers. Rachel's words are able to elicit sympathy from readers more effectively than that of her actions because her words aid in forming an emotional connection - or pathos - with the reader. To begin, with her words, Rachel can describe to the reader exactly how she is feeling, which the readers can then relate to. .
After being forced to claim a retched sweater that is not hers, Rachel narrates, "I'm feeling sick inside, like the part of me that's three wants to come out of my eyes, only I squeeze them shut tight and bite down on my teeth real hard and try to remember that today I am eleven, eleven"" (Cisneros). Here, Rachel uses her words to communicate to the reader that she is upset, frustrated, and wants to burst into tears. Rachel's words are a very effective use of pathos: the use of emotion to persuade an audience. .
Her detailed description of her emotions allows the reader to truly believe that the sweater is not hers, and that is deeply upsets Rachel that she is being forced to claim it. Since the reader now knows what Rachel is feeling, he or she can form an emotional connection with her character, and thus, sympathize with her. If Rachel simply narrates an action, the readers have no idea how she is feeling, and no way to form an emotional connection with her; additionally, the reader would not be as easily sympathetic toward Rachel. Rachel's words, not actions, are effective in forming an emotional connection with readers and thus the more important element in the persuasive aspect of this short story. .
Secondly, Rachel's words are more effective in eliciting sympathy from readers more than her actions because she uses figurative language to describe in detail her feelings about being eleven.
