ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses mainly on rhetoric as oral or written communication intended for a public audience. Rhetoric is an ancient term broadly referring to the art of public communication. The ancient philosophers typically understood rhetoric as a form of discourse intended to influence or persuade. Rhetor uses language to convey a message to an audience. Rhetoric performs a function for both the rhetor who delivers the message and the audience members who interpret the message. Rhetoric responds to social, political, and cultural problems. In communicating a message, the rhetor proposes a solution to a problem. Jessica is using a rhetorical set of theories called narrative analysis. She connects the rhetorical functions with the broader metaphor of the American Dream. The myth of Captain America, despite its historical origins, is still closely tied to the ideals of the American Dream. The tension between perseverance and quick fixes in the narrative reflects a shift in values from hard work to easy solutions.
