TOW #13- Visual- Genocide

In Steve Greenberg’s political cartoon, a character created to represent the world presents a genocidal situation. Within the cartoon, Greenberg pictures the world explaining the handling of genocide, and a family in Darfur being diminished.  Implementing parody and understatement, Greenberg uses elements of satire to exemplify what happens when no one intervenes with genocide.The cartoon essentially outlines a parody of how the genocide in Darfur is being handled, as well as similar genocides. Not of the genocide itself, but of how the world has handled it. In the cartoon, a character pictured to represent “the world” says, “I am not sure it’s really necessary to take action in Genocides…” However, as he says this, a family made to represent the victims of Genocide ironically gets smaller and smaller.  This is meant to represent the real world that Greenberg presents to think falsely that not taking action is the best solution. The viewers, whom would come from western nations with control over the situation, would then be astounded, and disgusted. The parody thus successfully shows them what the end result will be with no action, and causes them to consequently want to take this action.Greenberg understates the situation in order to add an ironical feel to the cartoon. Within the cartoon, “the World” attempts to make the argument that lack of action is the most logical solution to the issue of genocide. “The world” states that, “… If you don’t do anything for long enough… the problem eventually sort of solves itself.”  Under the text, a family is shown being depleted with time until the family is absolutely annihilated. By exemplifying the world understating the matter at hand, the actuality strikes at the emotions of western readers. Through the parody and understatement exemplified through Greenberg’s cartoon, the western audience is made to understand the vast effects of lack of intervening in genocide. They are successfully made to comprehend the fatuity of claims that lack of action is the best course of action.

TOW #12-IRB-Eat Pray Love

In the novel, Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, Gilbert presents a novel to teach her audience of young, struggling women that hope can be found easily through just three aspects which are to eat, pray, and love. Her purpose was to give the readers a sense of hope by presenting her story where she had gone from nothing to everything. Gilbert used order to achieve her purpose. This most notably shown in the way she divided the three aspects of a good life and presenting them through stories. Her first story dealt with her trip to Italy and the "Eat" part of her adventure. In Italy, Gilbert gained happiness by spending time with new people and enjoying food with them. She experienced new things such as the best pizza in Italy. Next, she presented “Pray” by describing her trip to India where she met an “unnamed” guru to teach her to meditate and clear her head from thoughts that have been troubling her. Next, Gilbert explained how she met her new love, a Brazilian who loved her for the way she was. By telling these stories in this order, it makes it easier for the reader to easily follow Gilbert’s intention and find a connection to the stories with the title and the purpose of it. Gilbert was able to accomplish her purpose which was to give readers a sense of hope by providing her personal story of her life and how she was able to fulfill her life the way she wanted it. By using order, Gilbert was able to tell her story in an organized fashion making it easier for readers to follow and understand the theme: “Eat, Pray, Love.” 

TOW #11- Nonfiction Piece-Whose Family Isn't Crazy

"Whose Family Isn't Crazy" is an piece by Dr. Peggy Drexler an author, social psychologist and gender scholar. She wrote the book Raising Boys Without Men and was a nominee for the Lambda Literary Award for Nonfiction. In her piece she talks about the holiday motif of the crazy rambunctious family and ties it with the stress many people with mental illness deal with during the holidays. In her piece Drexler juxtaposes the crazy family occurrence to the actual crippling time many mentally ill people face during the holidays. Her main purpose being that even with your hectic family life to look out for the people like ones with mental disabilities because the holidays can become a stressful time. Drexler most evidently juxtaposes these two topics when she first mentions the topic of mental illness. She writes "Entire movies are based on the hilarious, madcap mess of forced holiday family fun, and every year we watch them with collective nods of recognition: Christmas Vacation, The Family Stone, Home Alone, and countless others. But what if your family really is dealing with mental illness, as so many are?" (3-4). By successfully juxtaposing these two topic she connects her audience, families, with the real life topic of mental illness. Making the topic seem closer to home as "61.5 million Americans suffer from mental illness in any given year"(5). By utilizing juxtaposition she not only connects with her audience but shows how the seriousness of mental illness during the holidays and how hectic for you could be torture for some members of ones family.

TOW #10- Visual- Don't Talk While He Drives

The Bangalore Traffic Police created an ad campaign to bring awareness the results of distracting driving. The image shows a woman grimacing away from her phone as blood spurts out of, it  next to a text stating "Don't Talk While He Drives". This is used in order to shock people from talking to friends and family while they drive, the main purpose of this advertisement. The ad uses grotesque imagery in order to convey this purpose. The use of blood spattering implies that something gruesome is happening to the person she is talking to and the quote ties the image all together, which further applies the message that distracted driving can kill you. The gross and uncomfortable use of blood helps add the shock value needed in order to grab their audiences attention. Boldly showing the real price of distracted driving. The police effectively use this imagery to shock viewers and show them the consequence of using ones phone while driving. Thus causes their audience, couples and people who talk on cell phones while driving, to rethink their dangerous habit. The Bangalore Traffic police make a strong and uncomfortable ad, causing one to think twice before talking on the phone while driving. 

TOW #9- Nonfiction Piece- Can Reading Make You Happier?

Can Reading Make You Happier? is an editorial by Ceirdwen Dovey, a South African and Australian social anthropologist and author. In her piece she talks about the healing effects of bibliotherapy, the use of books as therapy to cure mental or psychological disorders and the history of this form of therapy. Dovey's purpose for writing this essay is to show the healing effects of bibliotherapy and how literature can help you move forward from your troubles, she most effectively uses anecdotes to show this purpose. In her essay she describes her trouble time dealing with her future loss of the ones she loved, this causes Dovey to invest in bibliotherapy. Where her "prescription" from her therapist was to read "“The Guide,” by R. K. Narayan. Berthoud wrote that it was “a lovely story about a man who starts his working life as a tourist guide at a train station in Malgudi, India, but then goes through many other occupations before finding his unexpected destiny as a spiritual guide.” She had picked it because she hoped it might leave me feeling “strangely enlightened.” (3). By uses anecdotes of her experiences with bibliotherapy not only builds up her ethos but helps to prove her purpose. That she healed and was able to move past her struggles by using the art of reading. That can reading can make you happier. This not only connecting with her audience, people in need of psychological help, but adds to the new therapy’s credibility. Showing that the power of literature was able to heal someone. Overall Covey writes a compelling piece that shows the new found power of literature and how it is truly helping others. 

IRB Intro Post #2

I have decided for the second independent reading book I would read Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. The memoir chronicles the author's trip around the world after her divorce and what she discovered during her travels. This book was reccomended to me by the mother who really enjoyed reading this memoir.  I also chose to read this book because I really enjoy reading memoirs and learning about different lives than mine. This memoir seems very interesting and I look forward to reading more of it.

TOW #8- IRB- The Glass Castle

"The Glass Castle" is about author Jeanette Walls's unorthodox childhood with unconventional parents and her ability to stray from this past to become a successful 21st century woman. The author Jeannette Walls is an American journalist most notably known for her work as a gossip columnist for MSNBC.com. Her purpose in writing this novel was to illustrate her nomadic lifestyle and how she was able to overcome her challenging past in order to become her own person. The rhetorical term she most utilizes in this novel is Symbolism. "I lived in a world that at any moment could erupt into fire. It was the sort of knowledge that kept you on your toes" (Walls 34). Fire is a reoccurring symbol in this novel. The book starts off with Jeannette's earliest memory of being on fire. Strangely enough Jeannette isn't afraid of fire afterwards and is instead fascinated by it. Her mother tells her "You can't live in fear of something as basic as fire," (Walls 15). In a way it represents her struggles because even though it almost kills her she isn't afraid and keeps going back and literally and figuratively playing with fire. It destroys many things throughout the novel yet Jeannette acts like a phoenix and is reborn out the ashes each time stronger than before. I believe Walls effectively uses the symbolism of fire to show her purpose of rising and overcoming her past. By strategically mentioning fire in pivotal moments of her life, Walls takes advantage of this symbol and it further validates and expresses the overcoming of her unconventional past.

TOW #7- Visual Texts-Secondhand Smoking.

"Secondhand Smoking" is a visual advertisment for The German Childhood Cancer Foundation of the German Leukemia Research Assistance. DKKS is a non-profit organization that is committed to the fight against cancer in childhood and adolescence and trying to help those affected in dealing with the disease. This visual text depicts a child leaning up against his smoking father saying "I'd love to quit smoking. But my dad wont let me.". This ad's main audience is most evidently parents who smoke. The DKKS main purpose in publishing this ad was to perpetuate the fact that secondhand kills others and especially children of smokers. The most evident rhetorical device that the DKKS uses is an appeal to pathos. By choosing a saddened young child as the focal point for their ad and stating that 'Secondhand smoking is Firsthand killing". The DKKS make audiences feel sadden and even angry that a young child who doesn't smoke at all is being killed by secondhand smoking from his father. I think that the DKKS are successful and effective in their purpose to make people aware of the dangerous effects of secondhand smoking. By utilizing the portrait of a young vulnerable child they were able to evoke sadness from audience and bring awareness to the secondhand smoking effects. Overall the DKKS published an compelling advertisement that brings to light the issue of secondhand smoking.

TOW #6- Nonfiction Piece- The Plot to Change Catholicism

"The Plot to Change Catholicism" by Ross Douthat is about Pope Francis's agenda to let divorced Catholics remarry without having their first marriage annulled. The article analyzes Francis's argument and whether or not this policy will be put into action. The author Ross Douthat is a conservative American author, blogger and New York Times columnist. Douthat is the youngest regular op-ed writer in the paper's history and studied at Harvard University. His main purpose in writing this editorial is to examine the the validity of the marriage policy and whether or not it will be put into place. His main audience is Catholic people in particular divorced members of the Catholic Church. Most effectively Douthat utilizes an appeal to logos in order to fully examine the effectiveness of the marriage policy. While trying to analyze whether or not the marriage policy will be put into order Douthat explains the ethical difficulties that Pope Francis will face in order to have this doctrine put in place "At the same time, though, the pope is supposed to have no power to change Catholic doctrine. This rule has no official enforcement mechanism, but custom, modesty, fear of God and fear of schism all restrain popes who might find a doctrinal rewrite tempting." (6). By using logos Douthat effectively examine the change in doctrine and whether or not it is even possible. Logically explaining the Pope's ability to change church doctrine and the effect his new age Catholicism will have on the church not only connect him with his audience but fully help in completely his purpose. Thus making his article a concrete and thought provoking piece.

TOW # 5- Nonfiction Piece- Indifference Kills

Indifference Kills is by Roger Cohen,  a journalist and author. He is a columnist for The New York Times and International New York Times. He has worked as a foreign correspondent in fifteen different countries. In his piece Indifference Kills he address the similarities between the Post-World War II Jewish refugee crisis and The current Syrian Refugee. He also outlines the lack of support by many European countries that again mirrors the response of Post-War Europe to the Jews. Cohen's main audience in this piece European countries and European citizens as he directly calls them to action to help the Syrian refugees. His purpose for writing this essay was to show that history is repeating itself and in a deadly way. In order to illustrate his purpose Cohen uses comparisons between the Jewish Refugee Crisis and the Syrian Refugee Crisis. 

Cohen poignantly illustrates this comparisons when he states "Nobody saw the Jews. Nobody wanted to see them. Indifference kills. As Syria demonstrates." (Cohen 17). Cohen also in his piece highlights the mutual contempt shown to the Jewish and Syrians refugees by their European neighbors. By comparing the two refugee crises Cohen effectively demonstrates how history has begun again. Showing the scarcely similar treatments of both immigrants shows how the European nations and citizens must change how these people are treated or there will be long lasting consequences. Overall Indifference Kills is an emotionally charged and reflective look on the Syrian Refugee Crisis.

TOW #4- IRB- The Glass Castle

The Glass Castle is a memoir about the unusual life of the author, Jeannette Walls and the troubles her family went through while she was younger. Even through the dysfunctional circumstance Jeannette and her siblings always found the light in the tunnel and did not let their past determine their future. The author Jeannette Walls is an American writer and journalist widely known as former gossip columnist for MSNBC.com. The memoir The Glass Castle stayed on the New York Times Best Seller list for 100 weeks. The purpose of Walls's memoir was to not only inform other of her childhood but to encourage other to follow their dreams and not let their past's define them.Her main audience I believe is people who are trying to find inspiration in their lives.The rhetoric term most utilized by Walls thus far is Imagery. In The Glass Castle, the author was very descriptive while explaining very emotional parts of her story. These being of how her parents once neglected to save her after she fell out of their family car and when her family would spend many nights in the Arizona desert while trying to find another place to live. She used this to to successfully pull the reader in so that they could more easily relate to the hardships her family had been through. I believe that Walls was successful in using Imagery to describe her story. It better connected with her audience and adds the much needed shock value to better illustrate her traumatic childhood. Overall I am very much liking The Glass Castle and I am very glad that I chose this to be my Independent Reading Book. 

TOW #3- Visual Text- Women. Like Men, Only Cheaper

The image above called "Women. Like men, only cheaper" is by a feminist website called Feministing. Feministing is a non-profit website that brings to view issues on gender equality in America and around the world. The image sarcastically makes fun of the ever present wage gap between men and women. With the tag line "If you dont like it, help us right it" the image also calls to action feminists and anyone viewing that there is still need to fix the wage disparities between men and women. Their audience for this photograph is feminists and people in the working world. The rhetoric term most effectively used by the author is sarcasm. With stating "Women. Like men, Only Cheaper" the author  already uses humor to her advantage as to point out the ridiculousness of the wage gap. Through sarcasm she also points out the fact that women get paid less than men for doing the same job. Also placing two business dressed women high five-ing perpetuates the sarcasm, as again is it seems to be mocking the wage disparities. I believe that the author was successful in their purpose and using sarcasm effectively to prove their point. It really shed light of the issue of the wage gap and misogyny in the work place.

TOW #2 - Nonfiction Piece- The Fight for Unplanned Parenthood

The Fight for Unplanned Parenthood by Gail Collins, a political and social columnist for The New York Times since 1995, is about the need for Planned Parenthood in modern day America and how many government officials are trying to shift and cut funding from the company. This essay was aimed at american women and voters due to her allusions to the recent republican debates and referencing women's health in her piece. The Republican debates being the occasion of her piece as she mentions many of the noted candidates for the Republican primary and their take cutting funding of Planned Parenthood. Her for writing this editorial is to inform readers of the importance and practical need of Planned Parenthood in women's health and the government's alienation of this much needed program. The rhetoric device most effectively used by Collins is her use of Allusions, specifically to the recent Republican debates. By referencing these debates Collins was able to connect with her audience of American voters. Including the views of two prominent Republican primary candidates, Carly Fiorina and Jeb Bush, she is able to show her audience the long term affects these candidates will have on the much needed Planned Parenthood funding. Collins successfully uses allusions to connect and influence her audience. Its also validates her purpose for writing this editorial and the purpose of Planned Parenthood. Overall Collins writes a very strong essay and opinion piece that will ultimately influence the american voter and support of the Planned Parenthood program.

TOW # 1- Non-Fiction Piece- Women and Honor: Some Notes on Lying

Women and Honor: Some Notes on Lying by Adrienne Rich is a hodgepodge of advice and knowledge on the reasoning and meaning behind lying and the effects it has on women in society. It includes many reasons why people lie, how society causes and creates lies, habits of liars, and what trust means in relationships. The author Adrienne Rich was a essayist, feminist and poet. She is often considered one of the most influential poets of the second half of the second century. Her primary audience in Women and Honor is women, particularly ones in relationships. Her main purpose for writing this essay is to show the silence and oppression women face in these so-called healthy relationships and the struggle to not only uphold her honor but also the honor of her role in society.  She most often appeals to Pathos in her piece. Rich does so when she highlights the struggle of homosexual women in relationships. She writes that a "women love for women has been represented almost entirely through silence and lies". The idea lesbians often have to hide their sexuality and the shame that comes along with it validates her purpose. Showing that for homosexual women, their love is only supposed to explored in secret and that a male lover is still the most desired partner. By appealing to pathos Rich further connects with her audience and makes her narrative more effective. Thus validating her purpose and connecting with her core audience, women. Through Pathos Rich accomplishes her purpose for this piece and makes a thought provoking and scarcely true look on the struggles of women in relationships.

IRB Intro Post #1

IRB Intro Post #1
The Independent Reading book that I chose was The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. It is a memoir about her unorthodox childhood growing up with two dysfunction parents. I decided to read this book because it was recommended to me by Ms. Pronko and by another classmates. I also chose to read this book because I really enjoy reading memoirs and learning about different lives than mine. This memoir seems very interesting and I look forward to reading more of it.

Life With Daughters: Watching the Miss America Pageant (1990)

Life With Daughters: Watching the Miss America Pageant is about the emphasis of white beauty in society and how black beauty is taught to be inferior to the "white barbie doll" look. The essay is written by Gerald Early, he is an American writer and essayist. He is currently the Merle Kling Professor of Modern letters, of English, African studies, African American studies, American culture studies at Washington University. Early's key audience in this essay is American women as the piece mainly focuses on the beauty expectations and roles for women in American culture. His overall message is that mainstream black beauty is lacking in American media and culture. Specifically the preference of stereotypical white features being deemed beautiful and stereotypical black features being deemed ugly. Early uses anecdotes to convey his message. Throughout the piece he talks about his wife and young daughters and how they were subjected to the preference of white beauty. This most notably in the annual watching of the Miss America Pageant which historically shows a preference of white beauty and how significant is was to his family when a black women, Vanessa William, won this pageant in 1983. By using anecdotes Early achieved his purpose of showing real life women struggle with these racial roles and how the media supports White beauty over black beauty. These stories are able to make a connection with his audience to ultimately validate his message.

Aria: A Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood by Richard Rodriguez (1980)

(c)2002 Mount Holyoke College Margaret Scott 

Aria: A Memoir of a Bilingual Childhood is about the childhood of the author Richard Rodriguez as he struggled to grow up speaking in both English and Spanish. In particular the fact that while learning to speak perfect English in school, he lost his ability to speak Spanish. Thus, loosing his culture and heritage. The author Richard Rodriguez is an American writer. Most famous for his work Hunger of Memory: The Education of Richard Rodriguez which was met with critical acclaim and several literary awards. He is most known for his opposition of bilingual education. His main audience in this essay is American educators, as his essay talks mostly about the ill-advised way at which they teach bilingual children. His overall message is the the opposition to bilingual education.  He supports this message through the use of Pathos. Throughout this essay Rodriguez writes about assimilating to American culture. He illustrates the immediate shift from Spanish to English in school and how his American identity was only found by separating himself from his family, culture and heritage. I do think his use of pathos was affective, only because it highlights these struggles and makes the audience feel bad for Rodriguez's loss of heritage. Overall showing the ill-advised ways of teaching and Americanizing bilingual children.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sing by Maya Angelou (1970)

Selma to Montgomery March

 
The Essay I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou is an autobiographical piece about Angelou's childhood in Stamps, Arkansas. She talks about the hardships and oppression that black southern families, in particular her family, had to face during segregation . The author Maya Angelou is an African American author, poet and civil rights activist. She has seven autobiographies published and three books of essays. Her first book I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was met with critical acclaim and international recognition. She remains today one of the most influential figures in American history. Angelou's key audience in this essay is civil rights activist as she supports and illustrates non-violent protest and self-betterment. The purpose of this essay is to show how nonviolence in the face of adversity is more effective than fighting fire with fire. A key way Angelou shows her purpose is through anecdotes of her childhood. Specifically when her grandmother is being teased by white children and chooses to ignore them rather than strike back. I do believe she was effective in showing her purpose. While subtly showing her message through anecdotes she shows real life examples and lessons that convey her theme perfectly. With the autobiographical elements, Angelou first hand shows and teaches nonviolence. This better connects her with her audience. Overall I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is a well-written and powerful essay that shows that nonviolence in the face of adversity is best.