Identification Functions of Anaphora in The Analects

The Analects has been widely valued for its philosophical insights, yet its rhetorical skills have received little attention from scholars. In light of the “identification” theory of Kenneth Burke, a founding figure of contemporary Western rhetoric, this paper analyzes the rhetorical device of “anaphora”, which is frequently used in The Analects. The study finds that anaphora does not often appear in isolation. In The Analects, it often co-occurs with other rhetorical devices: anaphora and antithesis can work together to achieve identification by antithesis; anaphora, mesodiplosis, and epiphora can work together to create rhythm and qualitative progression to achieve identification by sympathy. These two identification strategies, identification by antithesis and by sympathy, help to bring the author and reader closer together in The Analects, and facilitate persuasion. This study provides a fresh perspective on the rhetorical strategies employed in The Analects and proves the identification functions of anaphora.