Williams Rhetoric

Throughout her writing, Terry Tempest Williams uses various rhetorical styles to bring her writing to life. In Yellowstone: The Erotics of Place, Williams uses a series of short, meaningful phrases to catch the reader’s attention. By using strong verbs and vivid imagery Williams creates a comprehensive image for the reader. One can hardly read descriptions such as “geysers surging” or “hooves stampeding” without feeling the life found in Yellowstone. The writing takes this description of a location and brings it to life. Mixed in with these dramatic phrases are elaborated stories and concepts. These stories give the writing direction and purpose as Williams introduces the concept of engaging with our surroundings. The concept of loving and appreciating the land is explicitly stated in her work, but can also be found in the carefully crafted and impressive writing used at the beginning and end of the piece.

In other stories, Williams uses different strategies to strengthen her message. In Winter Solstice at the Moab Slough, Williams tells the story of the Hopi and how they celebrate life and the earth. This story continues the theme of our connection with our surroundings and the strong tie between man and nature. However, this story lacks the strong statement made in the Yellowstone piece. Instead, it is more fluid, almost like the stream of thoughts going through the author’s head. The reader follows the stream of conscience, yet in the end still arrives at the same point as the previous piece: that “the land is love.”

In Erosion, Williams tells the story of a Japanese immigrant who has a deep connection to the land. The story illustrates the almost spiritual connection the immigrant has with his surroundings and how incredible this gift is. However, when the immigrant’s son is taken away to jail at the end, the feelings of joy and comfort quickly change to sadness and regret.