Slimp argues that Connie's shortness of breath and the changes in her breathing as she becomes increasingly frightened later in the story symbolize a lack of spiritual development. It describes how, at the beginning of the story, Connie's lack of spiritual development is reflected in her shortness of breath which is referenced in various parts of the story. During the climax of the story, Slimp details how a sigh announces that Connie “has finally developed a soul.” Slimp ultimately connects Oates's "association of breath and spirit." In the case of this article, the audience needs to know the context of the story to fully understand the references made by the author. However, the author uses a unique approach to attempt to persuade the audience that spirituality through the metaphor of breathing is a major theme in Oates' story. I could use this article as a secondary source for rhetoric