Unit 3 Post

           In Unit 3, we read many speeches that were defining moments in history.  In their respective times, such speeches such as Patrick Henry’s “Speech from the VA Convention,” Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” and Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream,” turned the tides and defied great odds.  They revealed certain duties that different individuals have in their society.  These duties varied slightly from person to person, but some common responsibilities  included establishing principle within a society and also fighting for that very principle in the individual's own way.

Patrick Henry spoke about the principle of freedom.  During an era when America was torn between two nations, he used rhetoric as a tool to make people realize and to rally them behind the Patriot cause.  “Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not” (Henry).  He recreated his own understanding about the situation and by spreading his insights, he allowed many people to side with his point of view.  Abraham Lincoln was able to a very similar thing during the Civil War.  Once again America was divided, and Lincoln called on the ideals of responsibility and liberty.  “…that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom --and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth” (Lincoln).  He convinced the people of the Union to continue to fight on behalf of the fallen soldiers and on behalf of freedom.  He inspired goodness and passion within people - a very powerful combination.  Lincoln knew his own obligation as well as the rest of society’s; he stated it aloud so that it could not go unacknowledged and overlooked.  He called attention to it and thus, did his part.

Lastly, King was a leading voice in the Civil Rights Movement in America, and changed the nation forever.  He not only spoke for the principle of equality, but also the principle of forgiveness.  He advocated a cause but at the same time urged for his supporters to approach it in the right manner.   “There is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred” (King).  By demonstrating this conduct, he avoided race war.  He allowed peace to prevail over violence, and forgiveness to prevail over vengeance.  He did his part as an individual by doing the right thing and manifesting moral character not only with his words but with his actions.

Personal obligations will always vary from person to person.  Therefore I do not believe there is one set standard for individuals to follow by.  I think what individuals ultimately owe to their governments however is personal awareness.  They need not be blind to the government’s needs, nor the government be blind to the individual’s needs.  All positions have their advantages and disadvantages, their powers and limitations.   There were things Lincoln could not do as President, but those things that he could do he acted on them to their greatest potential.  The same goes to King and Henry; although neither of them started with high authoritative power, they recognized their capabilities as everyday civilians and erected great inspiration.

IRB Last

The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama

As his second book nears an end, Barack Obama focuses on the more political aspects of family, race, faith and foreign affairs.  He continues to give his perspective on certain issues such as the increasing display of religion in the GOP, and almost inversely the decreasing display of religion in the Democratic Party.  Barack Obama, himself, was originally an atheist who emerged as a Christian.  He discusses America's role in the world through his experience living in Indonesia when he was a child.  He also acknowledges the more subtle but still existent racial barriers that stand between people today.  Obama had a very unique and diverse upbringing, and it is this perspective that has allowed me to make many overlooked observations.

Obama offers many anecdotes to support his views.  He constantly references his past; it is evident that Obama mainly bases his life on his experiences but leaves room for others' as well.  His diction is also very clear and logical.  He rarely, if ever, goes to extremes.  Instead, he shows that he strives for a middle ground, trying to avoid blind conservatism as well as overly-optimistic idealism.  Obama urges for politicians to return to the way politics used to be, that real compromise and cooperation is necessary between parties in order for government to work efficiently.

AOW #17 (IRB)

The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama

Obama writes about different interpretations of the Constitution, probably the single most important document in American History.  He contrasts certain ridiculous interpretations with the interpretations of certain experienced lawmakers.   Obama admires their deep understanding and reverence for the Constitution.  He claims that it is important to be respectful but also flexible with the document, in order to keep up with modern times.  Ultimately, it is important to be honest and tact.  Certainly there are multiple interpretations, but there are fair ones and unfair ones.  What is crucial is that people retain good sense and be honest with themselves; to not purposely manipulate the document’s meanings.  Obama goes on to write about the unfortunate habits of many politicians: their inability to stay true to their values and their naïve attachment to political parties.  He seeks a balance between individuality and compromise, idealism and practicality.

Obama draws from many personal stories to make his points.  He realizes that sometimes it is impossible to just speak philosophically; he must resort to real-life examples to get across his message.  Obama continues to maintain very levelheaded.  He constantly guides himself with logic and experience.

AOW #16

 Peanuts cartoon by Charles Schulz: http://www.lixohumano.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/brown-sad.jpg

In this cartoon, Charlie Brown once again displays his tendency towards disappointment.  He listens to a song that evokes sad memories, however, even in his glumness he chooses to listen to the song again. 

Rhetorical elements include non-sequitur and appeal to pathos.  It uses non-sequitur because Charlie's last statement does not seem to logically follow his previous words.  It is strange and unexpected that he would like to listen to the song again since it makes him sad.  There is also the use of communal memory, because everyone who has been truly sad understands what Charlie feels and acts this way.

The context includes the Charlie Brown comics.  One who is familiar with the series knows that Charlie Brown is often a very pessimistic boy.  In other words, he is often down in the dumps.  Further context would include the experience or scenario Charles Schulz draws upon.

The author's purpose is perhaps to share an experience, and to relate to the audience, which is most likely his readers.  He wants to create a sense of sympathy and empathy.  This works because he has made good use of communal memory. 

IRB: The Audacity of Hope

The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama

Barack Obama writes about the beginnings of his career in government: the obstacles he had to work around and the harsh reality of politics.  He includes personal reflections on the current state of politics as well, in which he thinks has gone off course.  While partisan politics may have worked at one point in time, Obama suggests that it has become inefficient.  Furthermore, he writes about his early conversations with everyday Americans and how we can change our politics.  Obama's moderate tone and intellectual consistency makes him seem very level-headed.  By avoiding extremes and backing up his claims with honest personal experience, he opens up his readers.  Other rhetorical elements include dialogues from his memories, qualifiers and some historical references.

Barack Obama is the 44th and current President of the United States.  Before he became President, he was a community organizer for a rough part of Chicago and also Senator of Illinois.  He is of mixed heritage: his dad black and his mom white.  He attended Columbia University and Harvard Law School.

In Obama's first memoir Dreams from my Father, he managed to remain very honest about not only himself but his observations.  It is this element that made him very respectable.  However, that was before he became a well-known politician.  Now, critics are interested to see if he can maintain that same integrity.  Barack Obama acknowledges this and that is part of his purpose as the writer: to show that he has not lost touch.  Therefore I think Barack's audience is mainly his supporters and even skeptics.  Another purpose he has is to promote healthier politics.

AOW #14: The Art of Listening

NY Times article by Henning Mankell, best-selling author

After spending nearly 25 years traveling back and forth from Europe to Africa, Mankell distinguishes key differences between Western and African culture.  One of which is sharing, but the main one is listening.  As Mankell eloquently puts it, the reason we have "two ears and one tongue is that we have to listen twice as much as we speak."  He also goes on to explain the different styles of rhetoric used between Westerners and Africans.

The context includes basic differences between Africa and Europe.  It also includes a bit of background knowledge on the author, who has spent a worthy portion of his life in Mozambique.

Rhetorical elements include compare and contrast.  Mankell juxtaposes the traditional linear European style of writing with the anachronistic African approach of writing.  He also does a lot of reflection, which comes from his memory and experience.

The author's purpose is to share important insights from his travels.  He wants to make evident the key part of story-telling in humanity and instill the idea of "listening" into people.  In this way, he can pass down his learnings.  I thought what the author had to write was rather interesting.  I think just his experience and worldliness credit his observations.
 

AOW #13: In Search for Alien Life

TIME science article written by Michael Lemonick, a science writer who previously wrote for Discovery as well as Science Digest

The article is about different ways of categorizing life on other planets.  Since the Kepler telescope has recently discovered more than 2000 other planets in the universe, there must be a way to somehow anticipate what kinds of life can be found.  The first standard is EMI, which is Earth-based and used to find life similar to that on Earth.  The second is PHI, which is much looser in its restrictions.  It is very open with how different types of life can sustain different conditions.

The context includes the theory that there may be other forms of life in the universe.  Earth is perhaps not the only planet lucky enough to possess such livable circumstances.  Context also includes recent findings and breakthroughs in space research.

The author uses a conversational type of writing.  It is as if he is casually yet professionally talking to us.  This is evident through such elements as humor, rhetorical questions, and speculation.  Other rhetorical elements include scientific terms such as EMI and PHI.

The author's purpose is to update readers and those interested about the search for alien life.  Being someone who has always been interested in mysteries and aliens yet knows little about them, I thought this article was very interesting.  The simple discovery of water on Mars (which I did not know about) made me consider a whole new range of possibilities.