James Baldwin Rhetorical Analysis

To: Professor Wilson
From: Amberly Day

Date: 2/3/2021
Subject: Rhetorical Analysis of “Letter to My Nephew” by James Baldwin
INTRODUCTION
“Letter to My Nephew” is a part of a larger book of essays written by James Baldwin that details
his experience as a black man growing up in the United States. James Baldwin was a novelist,
essayist, and activist, among other things. In the letter, he offers some advice to his nephew,
James, who is named after himself, to try to give him hope for the future of the country. There
are many different rhetorical devices used in just this short text.
DESCRIPTION
A hundred years after the passing of the Emancipation Proclamation, James Baldwin writes a
letter to his nephew about the still very prominent and real issue of racism in the United States.
He writes from the perspective of a concern uncle trying to warn his nephew of the troubles he
will face growing up in a country that does not value him, that does not even know he exists, as
Baldwin states in the text. The letter begins with the words “Dear James,” and is written as if it is
going to be sent to his nephew. It as though it would have never been seen by anyone besides the
two of them, but it was eventually published for others to read. This adds a personal and intimate
touch to what is being written in the letter.
ANALYSIS
Baldwin uses all three rhetorical appeals, ethos, logos, pathos, to get his point across to the
audience. The right amount of each appeal is added to the letter to make it something that others
can relate to.
Ethos
Baldwin speaks from a tone that is experienced in the ways of the racism in the United States.
Ethos is a rhetorical device meant to convince the reader that the writer has credibility and is
educated on whatever they are writing about or speaking about. He also writes this letter to share
what he has learned in all his years of living. This makes the reader, or audience, gain a sense of
trust towards Baldwin, like he is watching out for them specifically. There are many instances in
the text where “you” is used, almost as if Baldwin is directing this letter to the reader especially.
Logos
Logos is also another rhetorical device used. It is supposed to ensure that the writer is writing the
truth and the writer provides evidence for claims made. The instances discussed in the letter are
all from Baldwin’s own experiences, knowledge, and understanding. He brings forth such a
heavy topic to his fifteen-year-old nephew, as something he must know. He explains exactly his
reasoning for what is being said in the letter, and back that up with his own experience as a
person who has lived life for a while now and has some valuable feedback on what to do and
what not to do.
Pathos
Pathos is meant to appeal to the emotions, it is meant to make the writing seem personal. The
very fact that this letter is addressed to his nephew adds a personal feeling to the writing. Almost
as if an audience was not intended to ever read it. He also writes of watching his brother, his
nephew’s father, growing up. He explains how the system set up in the United States has failed
his brother, himself, and it may even fail his nephew and he warns him of this throughout the
entirety of the letter. “This innocent country set you down in a ghetto in which, in fact, it
intended that you should perish.”1 It is the fault of others that young James has been born into the
life he has been, but Baldwin reiterates in the text that he does not have to accept this life for
himself, even though others will always try to dictate it.
EVALUATION
He gives very good reasoning for what his writing about. With elements of each of the three
rhetorical appeals, it is a perfectly moving piece that convinces the reader of Baldwin’s purpose
of writing this letter. It is certainly something to make the audience think about after reading
what has been written.
REFERENCES
1. James Baldwin, “A Letter to My Nephew,” The Progressive, December 1, 1962,

https://progressive.org/magazine/letter-nephew/

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To: Professor Wilson

From: Amberly Day

1. James Baldwin, “A Letter to My Nephew,” The Progressive, December 1, 1962,

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