TOW #13: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

            Finishing the second half of When Breath Becomes Air was like completing a large project. I didn’t know what to spend my time with now. This book had consumed majority of my time although every minute that I invested was worth it. Kalanithi’s ability to display his most intimate and personal emotions into the pages was viewed highly by not only myself but also by many in the reading community. As he is a doctor, he is exposed to countless of individuals with similar cases as his. His exclusive perspective into the doctor who slowly degrades into a weak patient was an extremely intriguing foundation of his memoir.

            Kalanithi was a neurosurgeon who, due to his sudden diagnosis of lung cancer towards the end of his seven-year residency, began to shift into the position of a patient whom he had treated all his life. With this disease, he began to see his gradual transition from “doctor to patient, from actor to acted upon, from subject to direct object” (Kalanithi 180). He recalls his experience as a medical student, knowing nothing and often end up asking patients to explain their disease and treatments to him, but as he grew more experienced as a doctor, he never expected patients to make decisions themselves since he bore responsibility for the patient. And through his sickening body, he only now realized that he “was trying to do the same thing now, [his] doctor-self remaining responsible for [his] patient-self” (Kalanithi 182-183). His various viewpoints in the perspective of various roles that he played in the course of his lifetime aided in a book with a great amount of substance, giving a peek into the scenarios he found himself in. When he was taken off a drug that he shouldn’t have been, he consulted a young medical student about it. However, the inexperienced student began arguing with him, as he “could see that in Brad’s eyes I was not a patient, I was a problem: a box to be checked off” (Kalanithi 187). This is a specific example in which he got an insight into the minds of his fellow hospital mates and how they treat their patients as they got more and more experienced. Giving these various perspectives allowed Kalanithi to appeal to his audience, giving insight into the medical world that many do not know.

TOW #12: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

            When I was finished with Carson’s Silent Spring, I felt drawn towards a nonfiction book with more of a storyline rather than the previous book’s evidence-driven layout. After surfing on the almighty Google search-engine, I encountered a book that had recently released in January of this year. In short, Kalanithi’s When Breath Becomes Air is a memoir focused around his diagnosis of stage IV lung cancer. At the young age of thirty-six with his ten years of neurosurgeon training almost at its completion and his wife pregnant with their first child, Kalanithi describes his journey of transitioning from a doctor to a patient holding onto his last breath. The book is divided into two chapters which symbolizes the “before and after” of his life after learning about his diagnosis. Although I’ve read only the first half of this memoir, I am completely absorbed in the story.

            Throughout Kalanithi’s recount of his personal life and events, he interweaves life lessons that he had learned from his experience in the medical field as a neurosurgeon. One lesson that had the greatest lasting impact on me was to follow my path. Although he had been meaning to pursue a career in literature in the future, Kalanithi decided to stray away from his undergraduate degree in literature at Stanford and graduate degree in philosophy at Cambridge to answer his “calling” in medicine. This was when he was studying the work of Walt Whitman for his thesis. After this assignment, Kalanithi realized that he was becoming “increasingly certain that [he] had little desire to continue in literary studies, whose main preoccupations had begun to strike [him] as overly political and averse to science” (40). Because of this sudden revelation, he became aware that “[he] didn’t quite fit in an English Department” (41). Although his decision meant that he had to set aside literature, he was satisfied with the idea that it would “allow [him] a chance to find answers that are not in books, to find a different sort of sublime, to forge relationships with the suffering, and to keep following the question of what makes human life meaningful, even in the face of death and decay” (42).

            Kalanithi’s late response to his true passion encouraged me to believe that my own “calling” will not arrive according to my will. This idea relieved me as I came to realize that I had been stressing about my impending future and my potential career. Instead of unnecessarily preoccupying my time into forging a “perfect” future, I decided to just let my curiosity lead me to wherever it may wish.

TOW #11: Ain't I A Woman by Sojourner Truth

            The first time I came across this monumental speech was when I was online shopping a couple of years ago, searching for a plain graphic tee. As I was scrolling the page of a shop that I’ve found myself revisiting countless times, I was confronted by a hit-you-in-the-face yellow shirt with an unrecognizable (at the time) quote that read, “Ain’t I A Woman?” Of course I had to buy it as I loved the rhetoric. Little Bo, as curious as she could be, had to know where this saying originated, and with a little research (quick search on Google), I doused myself in the short yet poignant delivery of words that still affects me today. As I have never really delved deeper into the meaning behind Truth’s purpose nor have I considered Truth’s audience, I was ecstatic when I was assigned her text to analyze.

            Sojourner Truth had delivered her speech to the Women’s Convention as she addressed her primarily female audience about the inequalities that both women and African Americans faced during the time period when slavery was prevalent. In order to make aware of the wrongs of gender inequality, Truth utilizes personal experiences and repetition of rhetorical questions. When a man claims that “women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and have the best place everywhere,” Truth juxtaposes his ignorant declaration by exclaiming that no one has ever performed these chivalrous manners for her, saying, “nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me the best place!” As a subject of both minority being a black woman, Truth establishes her credibility by recounting her own experience in discrimination.

            As Truth spoke with anger and resentment, she repeated the increasingly impactful phrase, “and ain’t I a woman?” As I’ve mentioned before, this speech was delivered to the Women’s Convention, an event in which the audience were predominantly female. Taking this into account, she brought the rhythm of the repetition to a close with an explicit account of her life: “I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?” By purposely ending this section with a lasting impression of her position as an African American woman in the midst of slavery, Truth was successful in relaying the immoral wrongs of inequality. As her audience were probably mothers with their own loving children, Truth allowed her audience to relate with her on a personal and emotional level.

TOW #10: Warning by Jenny Joseph

            The English poet Jenny Joseph attempts to foresee her future of old age as she describes the behaviors and characteristics that may embody who she will become. Her best known poem, Warning, was labeled as UK’s most popular post-war poem years after it came out in 1961. This poem is focused on the options available to the elderly, specifically older ladies, as they begin to age and lose their sensibility. By the use of her bold language and originality of topic, Joseph is successful in displaying her message that old age is not only when behaviors that were once off-limits are explored but also when social pressures that were so heavily forced upon relax.

In honor of Joseph's poem. The famous lines goes: "When I am an old woman,
I shall wear purple with a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me."

            Joseph begins her poem in a bold contradiction from the clothing she is more familiar with. From wearing more conservative and reserved colors from her youth, Joseph states that when she becomes an old woman, she “shall wear purple with a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit [her]” (lines 1-2). Her declaration of self-assertion suggests that this poetry will focus on how the concept of old age follows the tendency to stand in opposition to conformity. The lines that come after precede with an “and” at the beginning: “And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves, And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter” (lines 3-4). This anaphora and parallel structure remains consistent throughout Joseph’s piece. This technique heavily accentuates the verbs, emphasizing the originality of the content that follows. It represents Joseph’s vitality of mind despite the bodily deterioration due to old age. By utilizing these rhetorical devices, Joseph is able to relay her purpose to a wide range of audience, regardless of age. 

IRB #2: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

            When this book came out earlier this year, the overwhelming praises and recognition it got was extraordinary. Often described as an “emotional investment well worth making,” I was drawn to this inspiring story because I am attracted to memoirs revolving around the “last moments” of an individual’s life. I infer that memoirs with this kind of plot focuses mainly on life lessons and morals that are considered essential in achieving ultimate happiness in the limited amount of time that is left. I am ecstatic to read this!

Author and neurosurgeon, Paul Kalanithi 

TOW #9: Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway

            The myriad of short stories written by the American novelist Ernest Hemingway have and continues to influence readers worldwide. The winner of the 1954 Nobel Prize for literature is known for his use of the “iceberg theory” in many of his pieces. This holds true with Hills Like White Elephants, one of Hemingway’s most famous American short stories. The plot revolves around a couple disputing the possibilities of an abortion of their newly conceived child as the girl compares the nearby hills to white elephants. Targeted towards a very select audience, this story serves to teach the significance of consensus in making group decisions.

            Hemingway’s technique of realism in this short story does not only depict authenticity of the couple’s bickering but also give a sense of reality in the global issue of unwanted pregnancy. To relay his purpose, Hemingway imbeds symbolism throughout the plot, furthering the emphasis of the polemic issue of abortion. When the girl questions her worth that roots from her decision to proceed with the operation, she asks her lover, ““But if I do it, then it will be nice again if I say things are like white elephants, and you’ll like it?” (Hemingway). The white elephants symbolize the burden of the unborn child that may trouble the daily life they had prior to the pregnancy. The girl desires to mend her broken relationship with her boyfriend, but her will to keep her unborn child is a barrier that prevents her and her lover from healing their bond. The guy is not as emotionally invested in the her and she is for him, resulting in the constant clash of opinions regarding her choice on the abortion. Her mentioning of the “white elephants” draws the attention back to the idea of abortion and her divergent desires in contrast to her lover’s.

TOW #8: Part 2 of Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

            In continuation after of the first half of Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, the final one-hundred-and-fifty pages or so was worth every second. Although this book may not be everyone’s cup of tea due to the research-based commentary that Carson voices, but personally, it was definitely an eye-opener that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is labeled as “the classic that launched the Environmental Movement” for a reason.

            I’ve seen Carson consistently utilize rhetorical questions with obvious answers to develop her “matter-of-fact” tone to her narration. By doing this, she emphasizes the urgency of eradicating the use of poisons in insecticides such as DDT. In an attempt to encourage the public to become more concerned with the delayed detriments of the effects of pesticides, Carson asks rhetorical questions that are directed towards the audience: “Can he escape a pollution that is now so thoroughly distributed throughout our world?” (Carson 188). With this question, she solidifies her position in the argument, convincing her readers to view beyond quick conveniences and see the moral flaws and possible further deterioration of the environment through human casualties. Her utilization of rhetorical questions not only unconsciously raise guilt within the readers but also scrutinize the irony between man’s claim of being one with nature and their reckless actions taken towards the supposed “enhancement” of the environment.

            By finishing Carson’s revered book, I personally felt the need to contribute to the preservation of nature. Since it is known to have established the start to the environmental movement, Carson’s use of rhetorical devices was and continues to be effective in achieving her purpose. 

TOW #7: Let Them Eat Crack by Banksy

The unknown British street artist who goes by the pseudonym Banksy has created myriads of subversive graffiti that contains his commentary on the political and social concerns of the world. In an attempt to expose the crude reality of the corruption and injustice that is internationally prevalent, Banksy has displayed his street art in publicly visible surfaces, including the 2008 “Let Them Eat Crack” graffiti featured on a building in New York’s SoHo neighborhood. Many of his works are exhibited in largely populated areas in order to bring light to the issues towards an audience that may know about the dilemmas but chooses to turn a blind eye. His explicit depiction and openness towards the difficulties speaks volumes about his morale and values.

            This graffito depicts a rat clothed in a stereotypical Wall Street businessmen attire, paws red with what seems like blood. The rat turns back to observe what he wrote, which reads in the same red liquid, “LET THEM EAT CRACK.” This phrase is a play-off of the quote Marie Antoinette is best known for, “Let them eat cake.” The background behind Antoinette’s saying represents the ignorance of the upper class on the hardships and poverty that peasants face when Marie demanded the peasants to eat brioche, “cake,” when she learned that they had no bread to eat. By creating a parody of her quote on his street art, Banksy was able to effectively deliver the corruption and amoral attitude of Wall Street and their constant hunger for money and power.

            The controversies that relate back to Banksy’s street work grasped my attention, encouraging my desire to analyze his graffiti. Many of his drawings invoke public outrage, but I believe that this piece was widely accepted by many in the public as the majority of the American population are under the 1% regarding financial stability. 

TOW #6: Bop by Langston Hughes

            Well known for his African American themes that are highly prevalent in his works, Langston Hughes is an American poet, novelist, and playwright that has made significant contributions to the literature of the Harlem Renaissance. One of his early pieces, Bop, is a dialectic exchange between two characters who discuss the emotional and cultural significance of bop music. This short essay delves deep into the racial contrast on how the traditionally African-American music is delivered depending on the singer’s skin tone. This is due to the difference in experiences that blacks and whites have encountered based on the prejudice behind their races. The crucial argument that Simple, the narrator’s teacher, makes is that be-bop traces back to the abuse and discrimination that African Americans had faced and therefore is more than just nonsense syllables.

Mentions Dizzy Gillespie, a famous jazz trumpeter

            Hughes’ intention to highlight the racial issues in the American culture is successfully delivered to the public who is predominantly unaware of the struggles behind black discrimination through the direct conversation between the two characters, Simple and the narrator. When the narrator deplores Simple for his taste in “nonsense music,” Simple explains that white folks do not understand how to successfully perform be-bop due to their inexperience of the struggles that black people endeavored. Simple continues to state that “White folks do not get their heads beat just for being white. But me—a cop is liable to grab me almost any time and beat my head—just for being colored" (Hughes, 191). This portion is major in his rationale for the difference in the meaning of be-bop between colored people and white people. The contrast in treatment based on race reinforces the notion that white people are unable to fully comprehend bop music because they haven’t experienced the same hardship as African Americans.

            The author sheds light onto the injustice the blacks faced through the perspective of Simple to build credibility without having the audience question the character’s connection to the African-American identity. In a time period where blacks were deemed inferior in comparison to whites, Hughes’ revolutionary essay greatly influenced the perception of minorities in the Harlem Renaissance. 

TOW #5: The Figure a Poem Makes by Robert Frost

                        Written in 1939, The Figure a Poem Makes exemplifies Robert Frost’s reveals of his own perceptions on the aspects a poem should encompass and how those qualities should be viewed by the readers. Backed up by his acknowledged background as a renowned poet in his time, Frost is able to convey many of his opinions: a poem should differentiate itself in the midst of other works, invoke not only entertainment but wisdom that the readers can benefit from, and deliver the parallelism between the writer’s emotions upon writing the poem and the reader’s emotions upon reading it. By methodically listing out his criteria with the use of aphorism, Frost is successful in the delivery of his purpose to his fellow authors.

Frost’s ambitions to educate the audience through his own philosophy is embedded throughout his writing through his uses of aphorism. Utilizing his didactic tone in his belief of the parallel relationship of the reader and the writer, Frost states, “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise for the writer, no surprise for the reader” (Frost, 177). His short, terse assertion in this aphorism indicates the sheer emphasis of the author’s responsibility to feel the emotion of his writing before expecting the same from his audience. This intimate connection between the one writing and the one reading signifies the importance of the process of understanding what the author is trying to convey. Frost’s decision to use aphorism to deliver his ideas further supports his argument by providing the audience with accepted truths.

All in all, Frost’s educational literary piece on the attributes of a poem is portrayed seamlessly through his use of aphorism and his acclaim in the 1930’s. Frost’s ideas of what a poem should embody as a major poet himself is an indication of his influence on the literature to this day. 

TOW #4: Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

            While reading Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, I have experienced an existential crisis, the realization of humanity’s neglect of the environment, and an urge to go out and just do something to prevent the slow deterioration of nature, all in the first half of her book. Once a marine scientist who worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Washington DC, the deceased ecologist is recognized as the revolutionist who initiated the contemporary environmental movement. Rachel Carson utilizes powerful diction with negative connotation to conjure up an appeal to the audience’s pathos. She always follows up her bold claims with scientific proof coming from credible resources to confirm herself as a plausible writer.

            Devoted to exposing environmental degradation, Carson focuses on an environmental problem and then builds the intensity of man’s impact on that specific detail. On a chapter dedicated to the strange disappearance of birds and their songs, she writes, “This sudden silencing of the song of birds, this obliteration of the color and beauty and interest they lend to our world have come about swiftly, insidiously, and unnoticed by those whose communities are as yet unaffected” (Carson 103). Using “obliteration” exemplifies the amplification of its negative connotation to invoke a stronger emotion towards the loss of “color and beauty and interest.” This conjoining of two unlike things accentuates the contrast between humanity’s eradication of the environment and nature’s endeavor to survive through the adversities.

10 out of 10 would recommend.

Continuing on, Carson supports her claim by citing a credible source which states, “…in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama the Field Notes published quarterly by the Nation Audubon Society and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service noted the striking phenomenon of ‘blank spots weirdly empty of virtually all bird life” (Carson 104). She does not stop there as she proves the credibility of her source, saying, “The Field Notes are a compilation of the reports of seasoned observers who have spent many years afield in their particular areas and have unparalleled knowledge of the normal bird life of the region” (Carson 104). Carson does this to extinguish any doubts or suspicion of the reliability of her words and to further establish her position as an author as well as a marine scientist.

Although I am only half-way finished, I cannot wait to continue reading. The information on the decay of the habitat the humans occupy is jam-packed into a single binding that is acknowledged all over the world. I will definitely return to complete my full-book review on Silent Spring by the one-and-only Rachel Carson.

The Flower Carrier by Diego Rivera

            Dating back to the mid-1930s, Diego Rivera created an oil and tempera piece that pictures a tan woman standing behind an equally dark man, supporting a large basket filled with beautiful flower upon his back. This vibrant masterpiece, The Flower Carrier, was painted during the time period of mass unemployment in America, around the same time when Rivera was painting several murals in the United States.

The Flower Carrier

I analyzed this visual with the idea that the woman and the man represents the working class of Mexico in the States, inferring from the traditional attire and because Rivera is also of Hispanic descent. The contrasting colors of the subjects behind the rather dull background creates an emphasis on the individualism of the pictured figures. This generates a value to each of the workers that are struggling to carry the flower basket as well as their burden to please the capitalistic world.

What I thought was very ironic was the strikingly beautiful flowers that is crushing the man down to all fours. The man is not carrying normal cash crops such as corn, but flowers. This might be alluding to the ornamental center piece that adorns the homes of the wealthy. Therefore, it suggests that Rivera’s purpose of painting this piece is to shine light onto the debilitating endeavor of the working class to maintain the opulent lifestyle of the upper class.

TOW #2: Corn-Pone Opinions by Mark Twain

In Mark Twain’s “Corn-pone Opinions,” the main concept encompasses and depicts society’s inherent aptitude for conformity. Widely recognized as “the Father of Literature,” Twain delves deeper into the human tendency to blend according to their peers and environment. Through his writing, he attempts to make the unconscionable behaviors of compliance known to his audience worldwide.

            When Twain was a boy of fifteen, he lived in a time period of slavery and inequality. Black slaves were to do as told despite the severity or the questionable logistics of the task. Although it was apparent that the ideology of white superiority was morally wrong, no person went against the norms of the “corn-pone opinion.” When Twain describes his friend as “a gay and impudent and satirical and delightful young black man” but goes on to pause and reveal the underlying disadvantage: “a slave” (Twain, 1). His mentioning of his friend’s race in the description of what makes him who he is, it reflects the societal norms of racial discrimination. Although the black man was the complete opposite in regards to race as young Twain, he was of great admiration to the developing child. Twain’s ability to shun the accepted values of his surrounding white neighbors displays his awareness of right from wrong.

To Twain, his friend was “a wonder. I believed he was the greatest orator in the United States and would some day be heard from. But it did not happen; in the distribution of rewards he was overlooked.” (Twain, 1). For him, his black friend was just as equal and deserving of renown as those of the accepted race, but because of the norms of the south back then, Twain was unable to understand the reasoning behind the societal belief that blacks should go unnoticed. It was within the nature of society during his time that the intelligence and talent of black slaves were overlooked. This goes on to suggest that this repeated practice of indifference continued as no one had the courage nor the need to go against the public opinion. Twain goes on to state that he does not agree with the widely accepted view that blacks are inferior than whites, but ends the anecdote with resignation to his efforts as “that is the way, in this world” (Twain 00).

Just in case you didn't know, this is a corn-pone bread

Contrary to the “corn-pone opinions” of his neighbors, Twain believed that the world was in need of racial equality. His personal anecdotes and the insight into the most private part of his mind further strengthens his argument as a writer.  Despite that this essay was written over one hundred years ago, the meaning behind his writing is still applicable to this day. 

TOW#1: How It Feels to Be Colored Me by Zora Neale Hurston

                Written during the Harlem Renaissance in the 1930s, “How It Feels to Be Colored Me” portrays the self-discovery and confidence of the author, Zora Neale Hurston, despite her racial identity in a predominantly white community. Acknowledged as one of the greatest writers of the twentieth-century African American literature, Hurston recounts the first realization of the connotation behind the pigmentation of her skin. After moving away from her Negro hometown in Eatonville, Florida to Jacksonville, she instantly becomes aware of her “colored-ness” as she begins to distinguish the differences between her and her white peers. She mentions how she “was not Zora of Orange Country anymore” but “a little colored girl” (Hurston, 115). However, Hurston remained determined all throughout her life to not to let her dissimilarity prevent her from staying true to who she really is.

                In the conclusion of her essay, Hurston illustrates an extended metaphor, drawing connections as she compares herself with a brown bag filled with a random assortment of junk. She continues to develop the metaphor across a greater scope as she describes other people the same way. She goes on to indicate that if the contents of the bags were to be emptied and refilled, there wouldn’t be a significant change that would alter the bag entirely. Hurston reminds the readers that “a bit of colored glass more or less would not matter. Perhaps that is how the Great Stuffer of Bags filled them in the first place – who knows?” (Hurston, 117). The “Great Stuffer of Bags,” as Hurston described, represents God the Creator who may have purposely created the human race this way since the beginning. The purpose of her analogy as well as her entire essay is to remind the audience that we must rid ourselves of prejudice and look beyond another’s race because at the end of the day, none of that matters. The contents of the brown bag symbolize the same human character that everyone shares despite the physical differences that may ostracize them.

                I believe that Hurston’s attempt to familiarize each other’s similarities that may have been previously overlooked was successful. Raising awareness of the logic behind social equality with the use of her analogies was easier to register and instill the lesson within ourselves. Despite releasing this essay in a time period of racial hatred and discrimination, I am sure that her way with words was widely accepted by the public as she was able to deliver her influential message to anyone and everyone.

Zora Neale Hurston
https://www.plainfieldlibrary.info/pdf/Pathfinders/HarlemRenaissance.pdf

IRB Introduction for Silent Spring by Rachel Carson

To start off this school year's independent reading, I wanted to choose a book that I could learn from. I decided upon Silent Spring by Rachel Carson because I've heard many positive feedback from previous readers. They all mentioned that this book gave them an insight on the consequences of human development on the environment. The number one reason why I decided to go vegan a year ago was not just because of animal cruelty but also the environmental detriments that trace back to the consumption of animal byproducts. Hopefully by reading this book, I can gain an intellectual understanding and awareness of the severity of our behaviors on the ecosystem.

Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
http://www.pophistorydig.com/topics/rachel-carson-silent-spring/

The Ethics of Living Jim Crow by Richard Wright

In The Ethics of Living Jim Crow, author and poet Richard Wright recounts his personal encounters with racism during the time period when African Americans lived under the lingering reminders of slavery. The autobiographical sketch chronicles his account on the occurrences of social inequality that had notified him of the connotation behind the color of his skin. He projects his writing towards a mainly white audience in hopes they may gain insight of the hardships that minorities endured.

                Throughout the text, Wright utilizes several anecdotes to convey the injustice of racism and discrimination against African Americans. The first piece of narrative Wright recalls is when he was a child, initiating “wars” in his cinderblock yard against his friends. It was not long until a circle of white boys joined in and targeted Wright and his neighbors with jagged, glass bottles. Wright returns home with three stitches, eager to gain his mother’s empathy. What Wright got that night were not words of console but instead a slap along with endless beatings that followed. He became aware of the black oppression at a young age as he states, “From that time on, the charm of my cinder yard was gone. The green trees, the trimmed hedges, the cropped lawns grew very meaningful, became a symbol… they grew into an overreaching symbol of fear” (Wright, 160-161). Wright composes anecdotes such as this in order to put his argument into perspective. Similar to the much repeated phrase “show not tell,” Wright betters the understanding of the audience by elucidating his encounters with racial prejudice instead of simply talking about the issue. In addition, his firsthand experience of subjecting under the wrath of discrimination exemplifies his credibility as a civil-rights author.

Jim Crow Laws
http://mrnussbaum.com/civil-war/jim_crow_laws/

                Overall, I believe that Richard Wrights was successful in shedding light on the hardships of African Americans. He was able to bring awareness of the horrors of Jim Crow laws and its effect on the mindset of those who are considered inferior. His purpose to deliver the emotions of rage felt by blacks against white oppressors was completely understood due to his use of pathos to appeal to the readers. The rage that cannot be expressed was acknowledged by persons of different races and background worldwide. 

Coatesville by John Jay Chapman

In the year of 1911, a throng of well-dressed Americans indifferently watched the horrific beating, lynching, and burning of an accused black man in complete solitude. A year after the torture, the Harvard graduate and author, John Jay Chapman, held a memorial service at the exact location in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. There, he delivered a vehement speech that expressed his appall and rage towards the cruel event. Despite having only two other people attend the commemoration, Chapman’s idea of sharing repentance and his vision of restoring humanity spoke to many nationwide.

The speech Coatesville is applicable to each and every citizen in America as Chapman believes that the white spectators that were present during the public lynching are not the only people at fault; the entirety of humankind is held responsible for the Coatesville tragedy. He conveys his bewilderment as he states, “But here an audience chosen by chance in America has stood spellbound through an improvised auto-da-fé, irregular, illegal, having no religious significance, not sanctioned by custom, having no immediate provocation, the audience standing by merely in cold dislike” (Chapman, 72). As Chapman is delivering a piece of literature orally, he utilizes asyndeton to heighten the speech’s dramatic effect when spoken. The cluster of phrases that are not separated by a conjunction leaves an impression that the list of the possible excuses of why no one took the risk, is not complete. This absence of conjunctions emphasizes the feeling of parallelism that acts as a bridge to connect the mentioned phrases. Essentially, Chapman is articulating his incomprehension towards the reasoning as to why the mob mercilessly abused the incriminated man.

In Memory of Zachariah Walker
http://www.mikewallteacher.com/the-stories-that-ensnare-us-zachariah-walker-and-coatesville-post-171.html

Overall, Chapman’s purpose of addressing humanity’s tendency of inaction and the shared guilt of society as a whole was accomplished. He was successful in taking a single event (the 1911 lynching in Coatesville) and exposing the issue as a global dilemma. His ideology of shared repentance stretches not only to the spectators who failed to disrupt the continuation of the torture but to everyone worldwide that might not have been involved at all. Chapman’s indignation that is clearly visible in his text moves the audience to support his purpose.

The Lives of a Cell by Lewis Thomas

The American physician-scientist in medicine, Dr. Lewis Thomas addresses few of the numerous theories and misconceptions regarding the vast complexity of the earth and the human body at a cellular level. The focal points of The Lives of a Cell includes the foolishness of Modern Man and his falsely claimed superiority over nature, the cell’s authority over one’s entity, and the uniformity of the earth’s life. Backed by degrees from Princeton and Harvard, Thomas conveys his overall purpose of how everything on earth is interconnected in some way. Thomas directs his perspective towards an older audience whose interest gravitates towards biological discoveries. To relay his message to his readers, Thomas utilizes rhetorical devices to argue for the previously mentioned topics, including the belief that we are not isolated as a separate entity but are shared, rented and occupied by an ecosystem of cells.

                Thomas expands into the black hole of existential crisis as he suggests that man may not even be his own entity as cells within his body has even smaller organelles that have their own special genome, such as the mitochondria.  He dives deeper into this theory by stating, “I like to think that they work in my interest, that each breath they draw for me, but perhaps it is they who walk through the local park in the early morning, sensing my senses, listening to my music, thinking my thoughts” (Thomas, 359). Here, the personification of the symbiotic organelle is to emphasize the individualism the mitochondria exercise when functioning within his body. Additionally, Thomas questions his existence when carrying out daily activities in order to establish the sense of loss he feels when he realized that his identity might just be a large collection of cells. In the end, he uses this concept to compare how the mitochondria are to us as we are to the world.

Separate Entities
(Stuart McMillen)

                I believe that Thomas was successful in accomplishing his purpose as it aids the audience to understand that man is wholly embedded to nature. His essay encourages the feeding of the mind and raises eyebrows of those who have never seen the world through his eyes. Thomas’s use of rhetorical devices further guides the readers to understand the connection and the relationship between the entire earth and a single mitochondrion from a larger lens.