A bibliography of rhetoric and public address for the year 1958

Drawing upon role theory, this essay examines Will Rogers’ use of rhetorical irony as a means of persuasive influence. Through dramatic and Socratic irony, this rhetor “coached” audience members in the assumption of the “god‐role” of superiority. With enactment of the role, audience members theoretically and momentarily transformed their perceptions and modified their adherence to American cultural values, including technological progress, fair play, support for the underdog, anti‐imperialism, self‐determination by small nations, democratic manners, individualism, and anti‐intellectualism. Although attitude change from such role assumption is theoretically fleeting because of the transitory, non‐pervasive nature of the role, more lasting effects may be produced by repeated role assumption and enactment.