John Poulakos's view of Rhetoric in Harry Potter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr1q8C1SPlA

The moment I want to focus on begins at 2:50 in the video when Neville steps forward to challenge Voldemort.

In John Poulakos's article "Sophistic Definition of Rhetoric", he says that

 "what compels the rhetor is a sense of urgency. Under normal circumstances, that is, under circumstances in which we are composed and things are 'under control,' there is no pressing need to speak. But during times of stress, we feel compelled to intervene and, with the power of the word, to attempt to end a crisis, redistribute justice, or restore order...When a rhetor speaks, he responds to a situation. But the fact that he speaks now, the fact that he has chosen this moment over another reminds the listener that the situation is ephemeral, urgent, and, by implication, significant" (39-40).

For those of you who have never seen Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2, the boiled down plot is that Harry has to kill Voldemort. At the point of this video, Harry has given himself up in order to save everyone else because he has just learned that only with his death will Voldemort effectively be killed. Voldemort, being a tyrant without mercy or love, brings Harry's dead body before the crowd of Harry's allies and friends, trying to sway them to join the forces of evil since their champion is now dead. It can be argued that Voldemort is not an effective rhetor because he uses fear and force to try and persuade instead of appealing to logic, and the right kind of emotion. His use of rhetoric is based entirely on hate and fear.

Neville, the character whose speech I would like to address, is a coward for much of the Harry Potter series. Though lovable, he is not the brave soul many perceive Harry to be, which makes this moment even more impactful. His speech is short and to the point, and given under urgent circumstances, which is, according to Poulakos, what really compels speech.

 The goal of Neville's speech is to rally the troops, to make everyone keep fighting against the evil that's before them. As someone who never stands up to speak, he is the only one who sees the need for a voice of reason in the time of doubt and fear. His cry "Harry's heart did beat for us! For all of us! It's not over!" is a huge appeal to the emotion of all the listeners, and ultimately brings Harry back into the fight as well.

Another reason that Neville's speech is an example of good rhetoric according to Poulakos is that it isn't rehearsed. "Prepared speech texts betray our insensitivity to and insecurity about all that is contingent in the act of speaking...an accomplished speaker has no need for notes or a text, rehearsal, or presituational practice" (40). Neville did not spend time writing out his speech, nor did he think ahead of what he was saying. He let the moment dictate his response, and as a result, instilled his whole heart into what he was saying. The same cannot be said of modern politicians, however, that is a post for another time.