Muck-rake Essay Theodore Roosevelt, a former US president, in his speech, “The Man With the Muck-rake,” is showing the American people that they need to be united. Roosevelt uses framing, allusion, analogy, and religious appeal. in his speech to further convince his audience. Theodore Roosevelt uses framing in his speech by starting and ending the speech with a cornerstone. He starts it with what people often think of when they think of a cornerstone. He brings up the time of George Washington which is what many people thought of as America’s cornerstone. Throughout his speech he is preparing the audience to look at something else as the cornerstone. At the end of his speech he states that, “The foundation-stone of national life is, and must ever be, the high individual character of the average citizen.” Roosevelt showing American’s that the foundation-stone wasn’t something that is in their past that they can only look back on, he is showing them that they have a part in it daily. During this time in history there were many “muck-rakers” or people who were so focused on digging up the…show more content… Roosevelt made references to the bible by quoting the eighth commandment, “Thou shalt not steal.” He also references “Pilgrim's Progress,” a book that many at the time would have read. Roosevelt does this to connect with his audience. When referring to the “Man with the Muck-rake” he is referring to a character from the “Pilgrim's Progress.” Many people would have read this and will realize what the reference is from. Also, by quoting the 8th commandment, Roosevelt connected to the Christians and Jews in the audience. Roosevelt used allusion in order to connect with his audience. He is making his speech more relatable in hopes that more people will listen to what he’s saying and hopefully take action. Roosevelt is hoping that by referencing things that people will relate to, it will help them see all that is wrong and why it needs
