RCL

Introduction – Rhetorical Analysis Essay

by tjk5911

Introduction:

The Mausoleum of Augustus and the Lincoln Memorial—two architectural epitomes of cultural heritage, built with over a thousand years and an ocean between them. One is a tomb commissioned by the first emperor of Rome to be his final resting place; the other was built long after the subject’s death. One was a site central to Mussolini’s plan to reconstruct Rome into his fascist image; the other was the site of numerous demonstrations during the Civil Rights movement, a symbol of freedom, equality, and the American Dream. Despite their differences, these buildings carry the same stylistic traits, and present a larger-than-life image of leader in order to visually unify and legitimize a fractured nation.  

Short Outline:

  1. Neoclassical style and the Classical heritage -> historical precedence, tradition conveys credibility
    1. Symbolism (the fasces, etc.)
  2. Inscriptions -> Augustus’ Res Gestae, Cortissoz’ epitaph for Lincoln.
  3. Statuary & position in the landscape

Elevator Pitch Response

by tjk5911

Effie’s speech on the Caduceus as a medical symbol and whether or not it is rhetorically effective in the modern day was very interesting to me, especially because I’m a Classics major. The consideration of how parts of the symbol, particularly the snakes, have different associations today than they did hundreds of years ago, is definitely relevant to the conversation of whether the symbol continues to effectively communicate its meaning. One thing I thought about was the fact that many people do think snakes are very frightening, so it would seem counterintuitive for a symbol that is meant to represent saving lives to be something that people dislike and could be considered dangerous. Someone from a pre-industrial, agriculture-based society, such as Classical Greece, probably would have had a more positive relationship with an animal that dealt with agricultural pests such as rats and mice. These positive associations are evidenced by the type of snake symbolism used in Ancient Greece. Snakes were decorative motifs in temples and private shrines, and they represented household gods that protected the home. Occasionally, live snakes were kept in temples, such as in Athens, where the snake functioned as a divine protector of the whole city. A snake curling around a staff would have elicited a connotation of protection and even divinity. Meanwhile, looking at the Caduceus from a modern perspective, it makes sense that people would see it as a confusing, overly complicated symbol, because much of the population are not subsistence farmers, nor are they constantly surrounded by serpentine religious imagery. 

On the topic of religious imagery, the Caduceus also includes two angelic-esque wings. If snakes have lost their religious (and therefore, positive) associations in modern society, will angel wings lose theirs as well? These elements may very well make the symbol completely irrelevant in the future.

Elevator Pitch

by tjk5911

Two of the UN’s sustainability goals: action against Climate Change and supporting life on land.

 

PA Game Commission’s 2020 ‘Vision for the future’

 

Presents wildlife conservation solutions that would increase human-wildlife interaction instead of decreasing it. Reforms reflect the limits and advantages of the rhetorical situation:

 

  1. PAGC allotted minimal state funds, but a robust population of hunters means a “fixed income” on the sale of hunting licenses. The 2020 solutions include proposals of making hunting more accessible (including to hunters with mobility devices), thereby increasing funds. Hunting and trapping is heavily regulated so the Game Commission has access to population statistics of various species. 
  2. Capitalizes on charismatic game success. (charismatic animals include pandas, etc.). The logo of the game commission features a Bald Eagle, both a symbol of patriotism and also an example of successful reintroduction to the state. Elk are also a successful reintroduction and bring in tourism and Game funds from the hunting lottery (big, award-winning trophy). The literature specifically mentions deer, bear and wild turkey as charismatic animals popular with hunters. However, the initiative also prioritizes small game hunting to support the habitat of traditionally neglected species such as the ruffed grouse and pheasant. 
  3. Adaptation to an Anthropogenic (human-made) landscape. Most large native species of PA were extirpated over a century ago—wolves, moose, mountain lions, wolverines, martins. Elk and fishers have been successfully introduced, but Pennsylvania’s small size limits the viability of reintroduction programs, such as those with wolves in Yellowstone and parts of Canada. The 2020 proposals place an emphasis on supported endangered species and species of concern in PA that are mainly small animals and fish. 

 

Tie back into the state parks and game lands around State College, thank you.

Rhetorical Commonplaces

by tjk5911

Much of the campaign material for the 1960 Kennedy-Johnson campaign centers on the idea of social progress, reflecting the chief concerns of the Democratic party during that time—the growing Civil Rights movement and push for legislation, as well as advancement in science and technology perhaps best encapsulated by the USSR/USA space race, following the successful launch of the Sputnik satellite in the late fifties. This campaign advertisement utilizes the rhetorical commonplace of “human rights” to introduce the audience to the moral elements of Kennedy’s platform. 

Most audiences will agree that the advancement of “human rights” is a morally just goal, explaining the phrase’s prevalence as a buzzword in political ephemera of all types. However, few audiences will share the same definition of what constitutes a “human right.” Although it is a term applicable to pieces of real, physical international legislation, in practice, the definition varies based on the individual. By titling the central panel “human rights,” the campaign captures the interest of a large audience, but on its own, it is not particularly compelling. The campaign narrows in to a smaller, more clearly defined audience by listing what the campaign platform defines as a human right, and centering in on the Civil Rights movement via photographs, as well as mention of Johnson’s pivotal role in passing important legislation. Not only does the advertisement display the Kennedy-Johnson platform, it also displays their effectiveness in passing the legislation their constituents want, thereby strengthening their appeal (evidenced by the moniker, “the Winning Team”). 

By framing such a broad concept in the context of the struggle of Black Americans for equal rights in the fifties and sixties, the advertisement takes advantage of rhetorical exigence and is able to make an appeal to a specific audience. The advertisement is a good example of the utilization of a rhetorical commonplace because it capitalizes on a broad concept with positive connotations, but also relates it back to the present moment and the desired audience.