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Rhetorical Analysis of the article, ‘Monsanto’s Harvest of Fear.’

In the article, ‘Monsanto’s Harvest of Fear, the authors attempt to not only

discuss the personal impacts caused by large corporations but also show the intense

corruption in the agricultural sector. The target audience for the article is the general

public. Barlett and Steele successfully utilize the art of rhetoric to persuade their

audience.

Ethos involves persuading the audience through the speaker’s credibility. The

authors set a captivating tone to stir emotions against the company and expose their

corrupt paths. At the beginning of the article, the authors portray the company as a

ruthless corporation that is ready to do anything to control the agricultural sector in

the country. ‘Monsanto already dominates America’s food chain…now it has targeted

milk production (Barlett and Steele n.p). By the use of imagery, the audience is able

to visualize the effects brought by the Monsanto plant. The company is portrayed as a

corrupt plant that in addition to producing harmful products, persecutes its customers.

From the dairy farmers’ experience, it is clear that the company does not care how it

negatively affects other people. ‘There, sure enough, Kleinpeter and other dairies that

didn’t use Monsanto’s product were being accused of making misleading claims to

sell their milk’ (Barlett and Steele n.p). Another example of a false accusation is the

story of Rinehart. Although the company wrongly accuses Rinehart, it does not offer
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compensation or apology for its actions. ‘ Rinehart never heard from Monsanto again:

no letter of apology, no public concession that the company had made a terrible

mistake ’ (Barlett and Steele n.p). From the examples, the authors manage to put a

negative connotation on the company.

On the other hand, pathos occurs when a speaker convinces his audience

through an emotional response. In the article, the authors use convincing stories of

wronged and threatened farmers to show the extremes the company is willing to go.

Rinehart was accused of planting Monsanto’s seed and threatened while his customers

and employees looked on. ‘…the man began verbally attacking him, saying he had

proof that Rinehart had planted Monsanto’s genetically modified (G.M.) soybeans in

violation of the company’s patent’ (Barlett and Steele n.p). Rinehart’s experience

relates to most of the farmers and seed dealers in America as the company confronts

any person suspected of infringing the company’s patent of genetically modified

seeds. ‘They fan out into fields and farm towns, where they secretly videotape …

infiltrate community meetings; and gather information from informants about farming

activities’ (Barlett and Steele n.p). By using such stories, the authors not only manage

to capture the attention of the reader but also create an emotional bond.

Lastly, logos occurs when a speaker or writer persuades the audience through

facts and figures. In 19289 to 1995, Monsanto operated as a chemical plant that

manufactures dioxin, a highly toxic chemical. Although the company knew that most

of the chemicals used at the company were potentially harmful to their workers, they

keep such information hidden from them. ‘ In 1981, several former Nitro employees

filed lawsuits in federal court, charging that Monsanto had knowingly exposed them
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to chemicals that caused long-term health problems, including cancer and heart

disease’ (Barlett and Steele n.p). The authors further explain how people living near

the old Monsanto plant in Anniston suffer the effects of the company’s existence. The

plant produced ‘probable carcinogens (PCBs),’ that are harmful to human health.

‘PCBs have been linked to damage in the liver … and reproductive systems’ (Barlett

and Steele n.p). Moreover, the residents at Anniston breathed air, drank water from

wells and rivers contaminated with the PCBs. Although the production of PCBs has

ceased in Anniston and tons of contaminated soils removed in the area around the old

Monsanto plant, it still remains as one of the most polluted places in the United

States.

In conclusion, the article has provided me with insights on corruption in the

agricultural sector. It is now clear that some of the companies dominating the country

are ruthless and have no concern of their negative impacts on human life. For

instance, Monsanto, although it was already dominating the American food chain, it is

known for its toxic contamination and legal battles with farmers.

Work Cited

L.Barlett, Donald and James B.Steele. "Monsanto's Harvest of Fear." May 2008.

vanityfair.com. 9 July 2020

file://localhost/<https/::www.vanityfair.com:news:2008:05:monsanto200805>.