What is the purpose of the subjective language in this
excerpt?
Read the excerpt from "Opening Ceremonies of the
New York and Brooklyn Bridge" by Hon. Seth Low,
Mayor of the City of Brooklyn.
The importance of this Bridge in its far-reaching effects
at once entices and baffles the imagination. At either
end of the Bridge lies a great city-cities full of vigorous
life. The activities and the energies of each flow over
into the other. The electric current has conveyed
unchecked between the two the interchanging
thoughts, but the rapid river has ever bidden halt to the
foot of man. It is as though the population of these
cities had been brought down to the river-side, year
after year, there to be taught patience; and as though,
in this Bridge, after these many years, patience had
had her perfect work.
to describe the architectural beauty of the bridge to
the audience
O to convince the citizens of New York that this bridge
is meaningful
O to persuade the audience that another bridge should
soon be built
O to inform the people of New York that they live in a
great city