What rhetorical device is used in this excerpt from Mark Twain's "The Danger of Lying in Bed"?

The man in the ticket-office said:

"Have an accident insurance ticket, also?"

"No," I said, after studying the matter over a little. "No, I believe not; I am going to be traveling by rail all day today. However, tomorrow I don't travel. Give me one for tomorrow."

The man looked puzzled. He said:

"But it is for accident insurance, and if you are going to travel by rail-"

"If I am going to travel by rail I sha'n't need it. Lying at home in bed is the thing I am afraid of."

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English

Mr Kitty

14 August, 00:49

What rhetorical device is used in this excerpt from Mark Twain's "The Danger of Lying in Bed"?

The man in the ticket-office said:

"Have an accident insurance ticket, also?"

"No," I said, after studying the matter over a little. "No, I believe not; I am going to be traveling by rail all day today. However, tomorrow I don't travel. Give me one for tomorrow."

The man looked puzzled. He said:

"But it is for accident insurance, and if you are going to travel by rail-"

"If I am going to travel by rail I sha'n't need it. Lying at home in bed is the thing I am afraid of."

+1

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Phoenix Joyce · Answer 1

The rhetorical device that is used in this excerpt from Mark Twain's "The Danger of Lying in Bed" is anecdote (assuming that your options are allusion, rhetorical question, anecdote, and logic).

There is no allusion to any other text here, so that is not the correct answer. There are also no rhetorical questions - questions that don't need an answer because it is implied. I guess there is logic, but it is not a rhetorical device really. So, I'd choose anecdote, because an anecdote is a short, interesting story from someone's life, as is the case here.