Blue Highways Work

Rhetorical Summary

European and Native American author William Least Heat Moon, in his narrative, Blue Highways, published in the late 20th century; address the topic of preserving old cultural beliefs and through traditions. He supports his claim by interviewing a Hopi, Kendrick Fritz, exploring the nation’s back roads, and discovering himself throughout his journey. Moon's purpose is to show others that there are many different kinds of people in this world and how this journey has had an influence on the shaping of his outlook on life and himself. He adopts a informative tone for his audience and those interested in the topic of the importance of culture and preserving tradition.

                                                                        -William Least Heat-Moon from Blue Highways

Voice Lesson

Consider:

“Creaking open and pinching toes and fingers to check for frostbite, I counted to ten (twice) before shouting and leaping for my clothes. Shouting distracts the agony. Underwear, trousers, and shirt so cold they felt wet.” (102, A, 1)

                                                                        -William Least Heat-Moon from Blue Highways

What literary device is Least Heat Moon using? How is he using it?

Least Heat Moon is using imagery, he uses it by describing how he tries checking his body for frostbite and how cold it really is by saying, “Underwear, trousers, and shirt so cold they felt wet.” (102,A,1).

Would the passage change if you take out “(twice)”?

The passage would change but not drastically. Putting in the word “twice” is just trying to tell the reader how cold it is. Heat-Moon is just trying to make sure he doesn't have frostbite before moving or doing physical activity.

Would the passage change if you switch the word agony for pain?

Yes, the passage would change because pain is just physical suffering or distress, while agony is extreme or prolonged physical pain. You can tell the significant difference between the words and how they would change the meaning of the passage.

Apply:

Make a sentence using plenty of detail of an agonizing situation.

While the dog’s keen teeth went right through my flesh I screeched in affliction.

Multiple Choice Question

“Creaking open and pinching toes and fingers to check for frostbite, I counted to ten (twice) before shouting and leaping for my clothes. Shouting distracts the agony. Underwear, trousers, and shirt so cold they felt wet.” (102, A, 1)

                                                                        -William Least Heat-Moon from Blue Highways

The speaker’s purpose in the passage is to show _____ EXCEPT

A)     Imagery

B)      How he is handling  his situation

C)      His motives for staying there the night

D)     The agony he is suffering from the weather

The answer would be C because in this passage he shows imagery, how he is handling the situation (how he checks for frostbite), and his agony from the weather: “shouting distracts the agony” (102, A, 1).