Notes

I chose this passage because I am fond of the rhetorical strategy of asking a question and I found its use here particularly powerful. It makes a statement without making a statement: namely, that Darwin had great perseverance and that something—either within him or about the voyage—impelled him to stay. This implication combined with the descriptions of what he went through highlights both his eager attitude as a student and his human nature, allowing readers like me to relate to him more. I already liked Darwin due to how he was characterized earlier in the passage as youthful, cheerful, and enthusiastic about learning. However, all the initial enthusiasm in the world couldn't make someone endure five years of suffering without significant reward. So, this excerpt now makes me excited to read about the journey (especially from his own perspective) because his experiences must have been downright fascinating for him to ignore every opportunity to return home. I will keep this excitement in mind as I continue reading this book, and I will think about how I could use rhetorical questions effectively in my own writing.