Fighting Suicide

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in America, killing 44,965 Americans yearly, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. That’s 50,000 preventable deaths, which is why many organizations are fighting hard to prevent suicide and help those suffering from mental illness. The TV show Thirteen Reasons Why and the Project Semicolon were created to prevent suicide and spread awareness of this epidemic. However, both use different rhetorical strategies to combat suicide, which have vastly different effectivenesses. Thirteen Reasons Why is a fictitious show that utilizes hyperbole and juxtaposition to attempt to bring the effects of bullying and the need for suicide prevention to attention. But the show fails to justly create a positive change in teenage culture. However, the Project Semicolon, specifically the letter written by founder Amy Bleuel, creates ethos through first person narration as well as pathos through honest, but upsetting diction. Bleuel’s story effectively calls to attention the effects of depression and suicide as well as shows the audience the importance of suicide prevention.

Both artifacts used commonplaces and kairos. Bleuel’s story uses commonplaces when describing the college experience; she was exposed to an abundance of drugs and distractions that could help her escape her reality. 13 Reasons Why used commonplaces about teenage life particularly in a school setting to become more relatable to teenagers. Both artifacts were kairotically effective with their message, given that suicide is one of the leading causes of death in America and the suicide rate rises every year. It is a very prevalent topic that is exceptionally important to talk about in today’s society.

In the last episode of 13 Reasons Why season 1, the producers juxtaposed scenes of Hannah talking to the guidance counselor before her death with scenes of Clay talking to the guidance counselor after her death. In the scenes with Hannah, the lighting was bright, creating an optimistic mood. The producers may have wanted to show that there was still time for Hannah to find help and her problems could have been solved. However, in the scenes with Clay, the lighting is dark with a blue hue. This reflects the darkness of Hannah’s death, as well as the failure of both Clay and the guidance counselor to help Hannah. This juxtaposition shows that while we are still in the “light” scenes, we need to help those in need.

This juxtaposition worked well in creating an effective mood for these scenes. However, that message was overridden by another comparison that emphasized revenge. In these same scenes, the inaction of Mr. Porter was compared to the result of his inaction, being that he was the 13th reason of why Hannah killed herself. By putting an emphasis on the guidance counselor’s role in Hannah’s death, this scene emphasized Hannah’s use of the tapes as revenge against those who wronged her. This message shows that suicide can be used as a way of revenge, and that suicide can be blamed on others, not the person who actually committed the act. Civically, that message negatively impacts society, and it gives the audience incorrect impressions about the role of revenge and blame in suicide.

Hyperbole was also utilized in the last episode. Hannah’s suicide was hyperbolistic in that it was over realistic. It showed the physical act of Hannah slitting her wrists and the blood pouring into the bathtub. According to one of the producers, this hyperbole was used to show that suicide is painful and horrific. However, this hyperbole was too much for many audience members, and the suicide could have dangerously given flashbacks to viewers who attempted to take their own lives. The scene also forced many to look at their own discomfort rather than the comfort of Hannah, as it was so over the top.

There were other over dramatic scenes in the last episode. In one scene, Justin tells Jessica that he attempted to take his own life but couldn’t because he kept thinking about Jessica. Her response is to “try harder.” The student hyperbolized his feelings; he did not have the intentions of killing himself. However this hyperbole paired with an apathetic response may give viewers the impression that their calls for help will be ignored.

13 Reasons Why uses over dramatization to create pathos. Viewers feel bad for Hannah and the other characters because of the over dramatized actions that occur in the show. For example, the tapes that Hannah released were unrealistic; not many suicides are that thought out. Also, there was a shooting in the end of the episode, which differs the attention away from suicide, and onto drama. The most dramatic parts of the plot, which is the most addicting for the audience, are the most unrealistic. However, at points the show focuses more on gaining viewers and their entertainment than properly addressing the issue of suicide, bullying, and mental health.

Project Semicolon has the same mission as 13 Reasons Why and Bleuel also used pathos and ethos to create an argument against suicide. Pathos is created through diction. For example, she says, “The next five years of my life were spent in darkness and total solitude” and she uses the word worthless to describe herself. This diction creates a dark and depressing mood, representing how she felt growing up, and relating to readers who have similar feelings.

Bleul recounts, “I spent years wondering what I would eventually learn from my experiences and why I had to endure these things.” She repeats the word endure, which shows her struggle and hardship. This emphasizes that life wasn’t just living, it was a constant struggle. This idea can relate to the audience, and evoke sadness from the readers.

Bleuel establishes ethos through first person narration. The story is of her life, showing that she has true authority over its validity. It is a reflection of herself. This directly opposes the ethos created by the producers of 13 Reasons Why, particularly Selena Gomez. Given Selena is not a teenager nor a “typical teenager,” she does not have the most credibility when it comes to describing teenage life. This takes away from the validity of the show.

In Bleuel’s story, she changes the end to optimism. This directly contrasts 13 Reasons Why, as it leaves on a cliffhanger: what’s going to happen to Alex? This cliffhanger was to create a dramatic effect and lead to the second season. Although it relates to suicide as Alex shot himself, the show ends on a scary and sad note. Bleuel’s story ended to give hope to its audience and inspire readers to keep fighting; keep going.

Both artifacts attempt to prevent suicide and effect a change in the world. 13 Reasons Why’s attempt to change the world through a fictitious story led to misunderstandings. The message was not effective; the show was under a lot of backfire for its negative impacts on teenage life. The show made many mistakes, but what it did do is start conversations. This is similar to Project Semicolon, which also starts conversations. The semicolon, as a permanent mark on one’s body, is a constant reminder of the need to keep living even when times get tough. It also serves to emphasize the need to help others through difficult times. Conversations may also be started about suicide prevention through curiosities about the meaning of the tattoo.

The semicolon project is realistic and more personal. By reading the individual stories on the project website, audience members are shown overwhelming numbers of inspiring stories of people affected by suicide, and their choice to make things better. People also choose to tattoo themselves, carrying the personal message with them forever. They also have the choice to represent the project and share it. Anyone can spend a week watching a TV show, and then move on with their life, but one that chooses to indefinitely change their skin invests themselves in the project. With the TV show, people also have the choice to watch it, and a choice is presented to treat others better and with respect, but it is not as personal nor permanent.

A change needs to be made. Civic Americans should pay attention to the media and support things that they care about. One can use this media to learn and help effect the change. Both artifacts want to better civic life, and they both aim at performing their civic duty. Regardless of their success, the two artifacts contribute to an important cause, and have value in today’s society. They represent a lot about what is important in our world; and how people can change the world even a little to make things better.