One of the final scenes in the 1997 film Amistad is President John Quincy Adams’s appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States in his effort to argue for the release and freedom of the Africans. His argument to the Court is composed of various rhetorical strategies that make it persuasive and effective. Throughout his appeal, Adams implements the notable Aristotelian rhetorical elements of ethos, logos, and pathos, each contributing significantly to strengthening the logic and persuasiveness of his assertions. In his opening remarks to the Court, Adams states: “This is the most important case ever to come before this court. Because what it, in fact, concerns is the very nature of man.” In this instance, Adams appeals to logic (logos), …show more content…
He then questions the purpose and legitimacy of having the Declaration of Independence, which earnestly upholds the doctrines of “life, liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”, “all men are created equal,” and “inalienable rights”. Adams subsequently proposes a “modest suggestion” and rips a piece of paper to symbolize what should be done with it should slavery be justified. Following this episode, Adams shifts to sharing a recent poignant experience he had with Cinque. He states that he learned from Cinque that “when a member of the Mende encounters a situation where there appears no hope at all, he invokes his ancestors. It's a tradition.” Adams incorporates this anecdotal evidence regarding his experience with Cinque in order to next establish the following important connection to his elders, past presidents, such as his father, John Adams: “We understand now, we've been made to understand, and to embrace the understanding that who we are is who we were.” Delineating a strong parallel between Cinque’s ancestors and America’s, Adams effectively appeals to the audience’s emotion by underscoring the notion that mankind has endured a common experience throughout history, and therefore, all various groups of people are one. Adams concludes his argument by earnestly proclaiming to the Court: “We desperately need your strength and wisdom to triumph over our fears, our prejudices, our-selves. Give us the courage to do what is right. And if it means civil war, then let it come.” Adams employs pathos and makes an emotional appeal in the form of a call to action to the Supreme Court, “desperately” calling upon them to now do what is morally just, regardless if violent opposition, including potentially war,