It is important to note that the purpose of the given comparative essay is to analyze the sentence and language use. The texts of interest include Andrew Jackson’s speech to Congress on Indian Removal with Michael Rutledge’s “Samuel’s Memory.” The comparison below will begin with the analysis of language use followed by sentence assessment. In comparing these texts, it becomes evident that the authors use distinct language and literary techniques to convey the emotions and events of their respective stories. Jackson’s speech uses descriptive third-person narrative language and complex sentences, whereas Rutledge’s writing utilizes direct first-person narrative language and simple sentence structure.
Firstly, it is critical to analyze the language used in Andrew Jackson’s speech to Congress on Indian Removal with Michael Rutledge’s “Samuel’s Memory.” On the one hand, Rutledge’s piece is written in a first-person narrative and uses simple and direct language to describe the events that are happening. For example, he writes, “I wish I had my blanket. I remember last winter I had a blanket when I was warm. I don’t feel like I’ll ever be warm again” (Rutledge 4). The diction is informal, which gives the reader a sense of intimacy and closeness to the narrator. On the other hand, Jackson’s speech is written in a third-person narrative and uses more descriptive language to create a sense of setting and atmosphere. For instance, he states, “by opening the whole territory between Tennessee on the north and Louisiana on the south to the settlement of the whites, it will incalculably strengthen the southwestern frontier” (Jackson 1). The diction is more formal and elevated, which gives the text a sense of epicness and grandeur.
Secondly, it is of great value to comparatively analyze the sentence used in Andrew Jackson’s speech to Congress on Indian Removal with Michael Rutledge’s “Samuel’s Memory.” For the latter, the sentence structure is simple and straightforward, which helps convey the gravity of the situation. For example, he writes, “they lead us to a stockade. They herd us into this pen like we are cattle. No one was given time to gather any possessions. The nights are still cold” (Rutledge 2). The text focuses on the daily life and struggle of the protagonist as they are taken away from their home and forced to walk to a new place. The reader can feel the fear, hunger and coldness through the narrator. For Jackson’s speech, the sentence structure is more complex, with longer and more descriptive sentences used to create a sense of drama and tension. For instance, “it is rather a source of joy that our country affords scope where our young population may range unconstrained in body or in mind, developing the power and facilities of man” (Jackson 1). Thus, the sentences are long and filled with details and adjectives.
In conclusion, Rutledge’s writing utilizes direct first-person narrative language and simple sentence structure, whereas Jackson’s speech uses descriptive third-person narrative language and complex sentences. Both texts use different literary techniques to convey the emotions and events of their respective stories. Rutledge uses simple language and straightforward sentence structure to convey the struggles of being forced to leave one’s home. Jackson uses descriptive language and complex sentence structure to convey the epic journey of a warrior on a mission to save her people. This contrast in language and literary techniques highlights the importance of considering the audience and purpose of a text when writing. It is vital to analyze the sentence and language use.
Works Cited
Jackson, Andrew. “Andrew Jackson’s Speech to Congress on Indian Removal.” National Park Service, 1830, Web.
Rutledge, Michael. “Samuel’s Memory.” History Sites, 1830, Web.