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Jesus Alicea

Mr. Varano

AP Lang. and Comp.

28 August 2018

“Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching” Rhetorical Analysis

Lao-Tzu’s “Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching” depicts Lao-Tzu’s opinions on the

almighty Tao and grants advice to rulers. Lao-Tzu converts the philosophical ideas of the Tao-te

Ching and constructs an ideology on how a ruler should govern his/her country flawlessly

without effort, literally. To do this, Lao-Tzu utilizes figurative language and morse of discourse

to explain his thoughts further.

The use of metaphors and similes are found everywhere in Lao-Tzu’s poem-styled

writing; he allows the reader to relate to his concepts which helps it become clear to the reader

how powerful the Tao really is. Through similes such as “firm like a mountain” and “supple like

a tree,” Lao-Tzu is able to pour his ideas out into words in order to explain what he believes. The

similes add a vivid picture in a unique way that can be easily understood by people. The use of

descriptive writing is also all throughout Lao-Tzu’s writing, and more importantly he utilizes it

to describe a ruler who uses and follows the Tao and the people who are being governed by

Taoistic ideals. Also, in a few of the paragraphs Lao-Tzu incorporates repetition, this is not

purposely done to create a rhythm, even though it is a poem, but most likely to make his idea

clear and memorable.

The entire poem relies on using cause and effect to give Lao-Tzu’s ideas shape in the

form of words. As you read through the poem you will notice almost every paragraph follows a
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certain style or pattern. First, a situation is given where the morals of the Tao are used, then the

positive effect is stated. Next, similarly, a situation is given, this time going against the message

of the Tao, and the negative effects are specified. Using the basic right and wrong system,

Lao-Tzu believes the reader will make the logical and obvious choice of using the ways of the

Tao in every occasion when expecting a positive outcome.

In Lao-Tzu’s poem structured thoughts of the Tao Te Ching he strongly emphasizes the

use of the Tao to govern successfully creating a healthy social environment that benefits both

sides. Phrases such as “The Tao never does anything/ yet through it all things are done.” and

“Stay centered within the Tao.” depict the tremendous amount of power the Tao has and how it

establishes a system where everything falls into order. Lao-Tzu utilizes figurative language and

rhetorical modes, such as cause and effect, to explain his philosophical thoughts in a less

convoluted way that is reasonable for the reader. Through Lao-Tzu’s simplistic views of the Tao,

a ruler, the intended audience, will be able to govern impeccably without struggle.