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Paradox
Definition of Pathos
Pathos, along with logos and ethos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective speaking or writing). Pathos is an argument that appeals to... read full definition
Pathos, along with logos and ethos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective speaking or writing). Pathos is... read full definition
Pathos, along with logos and ethos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective... read full definition
Volume 2, Part 4: Chapters 7–13
Explanation and Analysis—My Feeling:
In an emotional, pathos-laden passage, Nikolai Rostov mentally defends his intention to marry Sonya to his mother, Countess Rostov:
“Yes, maybe I do love a poor girl,” Nikolai said to himself, “and what, should I sacrifice my feeling and honor for money? I’m surprised that mama could say it to me. Because Sonya’s poor,” he thought, “does it mean I can’t love her, can’t respond to her faithful, devoted love? And I’d surely be happier with her than with some doll of a Julie. I can’t command my feelings,” he said to himself. “If I love Sonya, my feeling is stronger and higher than everything for me.”
Though Nikolai's feelings for Sonya have begun to wane, he is nevertheless outraged by his mother's insistence that he cannot marry Sonya on the grounds that she is poor. After the Countess begins to cry and refuses to discuss the situation further, Nikolai angrily rebuts her position in his thoughts, basing his rebuttal entirely on the strength of his emotions. Nikolai repeatedly characterizes Sonya, who is financially dependent upon the Rostovs, as a "poor girl" who is still worthy of love. Defending his own honor, he notes that he would never "sacrifice" his "feelings and honor for money." Here, he references the attempt by the Countess to arrange a courtship between him and the homely but wealthy Julie Drubetskoy. Describing his own strong feelings, he adds that he would "surely be happier" with Sonya than "some doll of a Julie." Last, he concludes that he cannot control his own feelings, which are "stronger and higher than everything" for him.
Despite this pathos-laden self-defense, Nikolai will later call off his engagement to Sonya after she, under strong pressure from the Countess, gives him permission to do so.
Related Themes:
