Abstract
This paper identifies “force” as the master trope of prowar discourse. Attention is focused on its literalization through a process that involves the selection of decivilizing vehicles, the affirmation of threatening expectations, the suggestion of rational demonstrations, and the subversion of competing perspectives. Each of these operations is illustrated in the specific context of the War of 1812, while the discussion as a whole is directed at the general consideration of how prowar arguments are produced from metaphors of force.

This publication has 8 references indexed in Scilit: