1. Despite the fact that Burke was a rhetorical critic who described himself as a
“word man,” he was convinced that the creation of language began the downfall
of the human race. Why?
2. Find a popular song and examine its lyrics using the pentad. What elements do
the lyrics emphasize? What is the dominant ratio? What does that say about
the songwriter’s motivation?
3. Burke claims that all rhetoric ultimately expiates guilt through victimage. Pick
one of the ethical reflections from another chapter. How would that ethical
stance evaluate victimage? When is victimage right (if ever), and when is it
wrong (if ever)?
4. Based on what you know of Burke, how would you apply Burke’s ideas to his
own theory? What does he scapegoat? What are his god-terms and devil-terms?
What elements of the pentad does he emphasize as he portrays the drama of
human life?
