Examining Character Arguments: 'Long Walk to Forever' by Kurt Vonnegut

This assignment analyzes the character's perspective in Kurt Vonnegut's short story, 'Long Walk to Forever,' focusing on the character's use of persuasive appeals (logos, pathos, and ethos). The analysis identifies specific examples of loaded language, and how the character attempts to persuade Catherine, the reader. The assignment also examines the types of evidence presented, evaluating its adherence to the STAR criteria (sufficient, typical, accurate, and relevant). The analysis explores the character's use of these appeals and whether the character uses them persuasively. The assignment delves into the character's emotional shyness and how they try to persuade Catherine.

“Long Walk to Forever” – story from Welcome
to the Monkey House by Kurt Vonnegut
From the perspective of one of the characters (either Newt or
Catherine) complete the following questions:
Identifying:
List the appeals (logos, pathos, ethos) that feature in the character’s argument. Can you find all
three?
From the point of view of Newt, his character lacked ethos as is clearly seen when he
ran away from his duty to appeal to the bride=to-be of someone else. The logic provided by his
character for his behavior is that he was completely in love with Catherine. Newt was an
emotionally shy person but in the entire story people could read his emotions even if they were
not mentioned explicitly. His persistence in asking Catherine out for a walk even when he knew
she was going to be married, was very emotional.
Illustrating:
What are some specific words and quotes that demonstrate that character’s use of each
appeal?
Ethos – When Newt kissed Catherine in spite of knowing that she will soon be married to
someone else revealed a lack of ethics in Newt. “And he did what he had to do. He kissed her.”
Pathos – Newt said that he knew that Catharine was about to be married to someone else and
he said it in a nonchalant manner. When Catharine cried out that this was absolutely crazy,
Newt asked “How so?”
Logos – Newt said that he loved Catherine and he did not give any reason for that, signifying
that love was the only reason for his behavior.
Explain how one word or phrase from your list shows each appeal.
“And he did what he had to do. He kissed her.” – This appeals to the audience because Newt
finally had the courage to do what he should have done years ago.
Newt asked “How so?” – Newt could not wrap his mind around the fact that Catherine was
getting married. He did not see anything wrong in his wooing of the woman he loved.

Linking:
What is the character trying to persuade the other character (and the reader) to think or agree
with?
Newt is trying to persuade Catherine to agree to the fact that even she was in love with
him. Newt may not have foreseen the future, but Catherine gave him the courage to act in this
manner. He knew her enough to believe that if he was in love with her, there was a possibility
that even she was in love with him.
How does his or her use of the appeal help do this?
Newt could not out rightly ask Catherine to see his point of view. Instead, he told her
about his feelings and waited for Catherine to realise her love for him. There was a chance that
Catherine might not have realised her love for Newt but he was willing to take that chance. He
simply appealed to her emotional side instead of arguing with her.
Evaluating:
Does the character use these appeals persuasively? Why or why not?
Newt does not use aggressive appeals. In the beginning of the story it is said that Newt
is an emotionally shy person. He did not know how to persuade someone to see his point of
view. Instead, he chose to let Catherine form her own conclusions.
**EVIDENCE
What types of evidence are present in this character’s argument in “Long Walk to Forever”?
Newt does not make a strong argument in an overt sense. The only times he tried to
show his dissatisfaction about Catherine’s fiancé is when he asked her “You really love him” and
“What’s good about him?” These phrases revealed his jealousy with the unknown man.
And does this evidence hold up to the STAR criteria? Explain.
This evidence does hold up to the STAR criteria. In the entire story, this was the first
time that the reader scan get a hint about Newt’s jealousy with Catherine’s husband-to-be.
Earlier, he simply praised the man, providing no reason to suspect of his jealousy. Thus, this
evidence is sufficient, relevant, accurate and typical.