TOW #21 - A Hundred Years of Windsor but the Queen is Still Partly German (Jeremy Paxman)

In his article published in The Financial Times, an online magazine, Jeremy Paxman explains how and why the British royal surname was changed one hundred years ago. As a popular British writer known for his wit, he is very qualified.  His purpose is to stress the importance of how last names are seen in the public eye and to subtly condemn monarchies as a form of government. To accomplish this, he shares direct quotations from the 1910s and a witty tone. Paxman uses direct quotations from men affected at the time to explain how other people viewed the changing of the name. This is important as it reflects public opinion and/or global outcry. For example, Paxman shares what Prime Minister David Lloyd George said regarding King George V during World War I. He reportedly stated, “I wonder what my little German friend has got to say to me.” This is significant as it shows that there was deep mistrust regarding the Germanic royal family by the British population. This indicated that a grand gesture was needed to regain this trust, which ultimately resulted in the change from the House of Saxe-Coburg to the House of Windsor in 1917. This was intended to demonstrate that the British royal family were dedicated to British interests, despite their continental origins. Another rhetorical device Paxman uses is a witty tone, which establishes the informational yet insightful aspect of his piece. He writes, regarding Queen Elizabeth, “She has no real power and her advisers have been wise enough to see that is how it has to be.” This passage is significant as it asserts a fact while also analyzing the effectiveness of this fact. Clearly, Paxman is anti-monarchical and, during the modern age, this is a common belief. However, it is interesting to find such witty remarks in an information piece. Ultimately, Paxman’s use of direct quotations combined with a witty tone allowed the audience to fully understand the reason for the change as well as account for its consequences.

TOW #20 - Is This Sugarcane Plantation 'America's Auschwitz'? (Sophia Unterman)

In her article published in Forward, an online magazine, Sophia Unterman questions whether the Whitney Plantation in New Orleans lives up to its description as the “Auschwitz of America.” As a freelance writer whose grandmother is an Auschwitz survivor, she is able to navigate this controversial topic with grace and clarity. Her purpose is to show that the Whitney Plantation is an eye-opening experience that manages to educate Americans about slavery in an honest yet powerful way. She accomplishes this by clarifying the plantation’s focus and employing a clear voice with an informal tone. Unterman clarifies the plantation’s focus so she is able to judge its success at accomplishing its purpose. She writes that it focuses on, “The slave quarters; a holding pen used at the slave markets in New Orleans; and the small buildings in which sugar was processed. There is no focus on the grandeur of the house and the family.” This is extremely important, as it shows that the plantation tour is not just another house tour romanticizing the Old South. Instead, it hopes to reveal the true nature behind the tragedy of slavery. Additionally, Unterman uses a clear voice and informal tone to appeal to primary audience, which is those who might be insensitive regarding the fragile subject of slavery and civil rights. For example, she is addressing those who raise the Confederate flag without realizing the cultural significance of this gesture. Unterman writes, regarding the tour guide, “She explained that when slaves escaped and were caught, they were killed and their heads were stuck on pikes, to scare other slaves from trying to do the same.” This description is very matter of fact, as it is intended to show the average reader that slavery is no laughing matter despite its old age. Ultimately, Unterman demonstrates that the Whitney Plantation does indeed educate Americans through its powerful story and conscious description of slavery. After reading her article, I hope to visit the former plantation one day.

TOW #19 - Abraham Lincoln's DNA and Other Adventures in Genetics (1st Half - Philip Reilly)

In the first half of Abraham Lincoln’s DNA and Other Adventures in Genetics, Philip R. Reilly shares his research on the different effects genetics have on a person’s mental and physical characteristics. He does this in three parts: He analyzes how DNA allows us to understand the past, he examines how DNA is changing crime detection, and he questions whether genes truly define our behavior. As the CEO of Interleukin genetics and a professor at the Tufts University School of Medicine, Philip Reilly is very qualified to speak on this topics. His purpose is to reveal the true role that genetics plays in our everyday lives from a variety of different angles. To accomplish this purpose, he uses detailed case studies and well-known historical anecdotes. Philip Reilly shares detailed case studies in order to illuminate the complexity of genetics. For example, he shares how scientists have been trying to deduce whether there is a genetic predisposition to homosexuality. Reilly writes, regarding the case, “The responses indicated that 13.5% of the gay men’s brothers were homosexual, a much higher figure than the background rate of 2-3% male homosexuality currently assumed for the general population” (148). While the results of the study may have been technically inconclusive, certain data indicates that homosexuality may be influenced by genetics. Reilly also explains historical figures to show how genetics shaped their legacy. He writes how King George III of England had acute intermittent porphyria, which really inhibited his ability to rule. However, despite it being passed down through his paternal family, there is no evidence that any of his ancestors were severely hampered by the disease. Reilly encaptures the complex nature of genetics when he writes, “A disease gene that had been traveling in the British royal family for at least eight generations had not caused really severe disease until it expressed itself in George III” (21). This behavioral explanation of a well-known historical figure helps the audience recognize the effects of genetics. Ultimately, Philip Reilly successfully accomplishes his purpose as, from the sufficient and relevant examples he chooses, it is undeniable that genetics are very complicated.

TOW #18 - Dear Evan Hansen Cast Recording

Dear Evan Hansen is a new Broadway musical written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. It stars well-known actor Ben Platt and, after only a few months on the Great White Way, it is one of New York’s hottest shows. It has received extremely positive reviews and is a box office favorite. As a result of this success, the chief actors and actresses created a recording of the main songs from the show. This cast recording was released on February 3, 2017, and it is being sold on amazon.com in audio form for fifteen dollars. The recording producers  hope to reach a wider audience than those that frequent Broadway shows. While musical fans will also enjoy the show, Pasek and Paul hope other people will get into it as well. As a result, the album cover features a light blue color scheme and a clear font to sell as many recordings as possible. In turn, the increased record sales are intended to boost ticket sales. The light blue color scheme implies a very mellow show, with sweet songs and a happy ending. While this might not be true, it is a good marketing technique as, in general, people enjoy listening to music that makes them feel good. For most, this is sweet, uplifting music. The light blue color scheme helps get this idea across. Additionally, the clear, large, and bold font places an emphasis on the title, which is certainly not traditional of Broadway shows. In a way, it is very mysterious, as it does not give away the main plot of the show, nor its subject. This encourages people to buy the album as they are interested in finding out what the show discusses. The boy’s cast also plays a role in the mystery.  Ultimately, the use of rhetorical devices that appeal to a wider variety of people is what makes the album cover so successful. This helps accomplish the purpose, which is to convince more people to buy tickets to see the show. However, the show’s true best friend is word of mouth, not the recording. As more people see Dear Evan Hansen and word spreads, ticket sales will skyrocket. The cast recording is just a tool to speed up this process.

IRB Intro Post #3

I am choosing to read Abraham Lincoln’s DNA and Other Adventures in Genetics by Philip Reilly, because it combines two of my main interests - genealogy and history. The title of the book caught my eye while it was sitting on a bookshelf in Mr. Yost’s room. The genealogy aspect is present in the book through the study of genetics, and I have always wondered how and why specific traits are passed from generation to generation. The study of specific historical figures is also an interest of mine, and Abraham Lincoln is one of the most fascinating presidents.

TOW #17 - Provocative Holocaust Site Spurs Questions on Young Germans' Changing Views (Ben Gittleson)

In a recent article published by ABC News, a prominent news outlet, Ben Gittleson shares the recent backlash over a series of insensitive selfies taken at Berlin’s Holocaust memorial. Shahak Shapira, an Israeli artist, pasted pictures of smiling individuals at the memorial from Facebook, Instagram, and dating websites onto images depicting the Holocaust itself. The project, which was satirically dubbed Yolocaust, was intended to expose the growing complacency with the topic among German youth. Gittleson, a former freelance journalist, was hoping to encourage sensitivity regarding uncomfortable topics, such as the Holocaust. He accomplishes this by his relaxed diction and his use of direct quotes on both sides of the conflict. Gittleson uses relaxed diction and common vocabulary to appeal to the wide variety of people reading his article. He writes, “But he added that selfies were not always a mark of bad behavior.” The diction in this sentence is certainly not very advanced. This is because ABC, while a popular news site, is not generally read by society’s most intelligent individuals. Additionally, Gittleson’s sensitive subject requires less sophisticated work choices in order to simplify an extremely complicated issue. Gittleson also uses direct quotations from experts about modern German thought to influence the audience’s decision regarding whether the nonchalance with which many youth treat the Holocaust is acceptable. He shares, ““The question of how to confront this increasing ignorance or distance — I don’t really think we have the perfect solution,” Jacob Eder, a historian who researches 20th-century German history.” The support of experts that share his opinion is invaluable, as the reader is no longer taking only Gittleson’s word. However, Gittleson also shared the opposing argument by quoting a German student defending the so called insensitivities. He shares, ““I don’t think it’s disrespectful to take a few pictures of yourself or playing around in the area,” Christoph Kolbert, a 24-year-old student at Humboldt University in Berlin, told ABC News, as he visited the memorial Thursday.” By doing this, Gittleson ensures that the reader is given both sides of the story so they can make a reasonable decision for themselves. Ultimately, Gittleson successfully appeals to his audience and allows them to understand both viewpoints. However, it is clear from his selection of quotations and commentary that he believes that cultural insensitivities should be prevented at all costs. Based on this commentary, the reader is inclined to agree.