The level of connectedness we, as humans, feel and desire depends on and derives from our sense of belonging. By utilising representations of belonging, composers assure that their audience will be able to relate to the text, due to their naturally social behaviours. Once a connection has been established between composer and audience, there is a sturdy footing from which the composer can better get their message across to their responders. The many different ‘faces’ of belonging can be used by composers through techniques such as inclusive language, “The Other” concept or pathos, in order to influence their audience into feeling the way they want them to – with the aim of successfully achieving their purpose. This connection creates a strong …show more content…
In Chief Seattle’s ‘Treaty Oration’ speech he removes any connection or sense of belonging the “White Men” may have had with the land in the hopes of deterring them from staying. At this time Seattle’s people, the Native Americans, had been defeated by the White American’s after hundreds of years of warfare. Seattle, the chief of his people, had to accept or decline the “White Chief’s” offer to surrender their land and go live in a reserve instead. Being in a low position, Seattle had to be careful not to offend, but obviously had some hope to keep his land. Throughout the speech he creates great contrast between his people and the white people such as the metaphor “Day and Night cannot dwell together”. Seattle promotes the sacred connection between his people and the land, and simultaneously removes any connection the white men have, when he says, “the very dust upon which you now stand responds more lovingly to their footsteps than yours, because it is rich with the blood of our ancestors”. No one wants to stay where they don’t belong, so by removing any connection the invaders thought they had with the land, or any right to it, Seattle is hoping to deter them from staying. The cunning use of this notion, and the delicate, ingenious metaphors it is packed into are what aided Seattle’s speech to be still so well-known today. We are shown that even from an outsider position, the composer’s purpose can still be achieved by using the power of ‘belonging’. Just as it is human nature to want to belong, it is human nature to not want to stay where you do not belong. By utilising this notion and manipulating the audience into feeling like they are the real outsiders in the situation, dominance can be shifted, and a composer before in a weak position can now hold