In 1484, a man named Gregory Lee Johnson decided to burn an American flag. This sparked massive debate across America after Johnson was arrested. Over five years later, the case made it to the Supreme Court. After deliberation, Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan delivered the majority opinion in “Texas v. Johnson Majority Opinion” that affirmed that Johnson should not be punished for burning the American flag. Yet again, debate has sparked over this ruling. Following the verdict, writer Ronald J. Allen stated his opinion in “American Flag Stands for Tolerance.” Though they are similar in actual opinion, the two writings differ in one main way: tone. Allen’s tone is much more passionate in comparison to Brennan’s. This allows Allen to
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He very simply states things as they are. This continues in the rest of the text, but he also adds a sense of earnestness. He goes on to say that the Supreme Court is “tempted to say, in fact, that the flag's deservedly cherished place in our community will be strengthened” (lines 26-27). He refers to the community as “our” community, which displays a sense of national pride and an acknowledgement of those who might disagree with the ruling. Using words such as “deservedly,” Brennan shows that he truly does care about the value of the American flag, which serves as another acknowledgement of its importance. The duality of Brennan’s earnestness and directness serves his purpose well. After all, his court opinion was written specifically for the use of lower courts in their future rulings on similar cases. Brennan needed to be direct and matter-of-fact for the lower courts, but his earnestness was for the rest of America. In contrast, Allen used passion in order to persuade those who were upset by the …show more content…
In particular, his phrase “by the closest possible margin” insights a bit of rage in anyone who disagrees with the ruling. It might make them feel upset at the fact that the Supreme Court was so close to swaying in angry people’s favor. Allen goes on to say that “the American flag is a cherished symbol of our national aspirations” (lines 10-11). Opposers to the Supreme Court ruling are likely angry at this point, so Allen flips their intense emotions into a feeling of pride. He affirms their beliefs about the flag by agreeing with them, but he has not actually delivered his opinion yet. His passionate tone, which is seen in words such as “cherished,” has made opposers open to his opinion. Allen then states, “The Supreme Court was not wrong. Indeed, a decision contrary to the one reached would have been a definitive step away from our national aspirations” (lines 22-24). Allen simultaneously displays a direct and passionate tone. His passion is shown through words such as “definitive” and “national.” He uses Supreme Court opponents’ own passion against them in an attempt to sway their
He very simply states things as they are. This continues in the rest of the text, but he also adds a sense of earnestness. He goes on to say that the Supreme Court is “tempted to say, in fact, that the flag's deservedly cherished place in our community will be strengthened” (lines 26-27). He refers to the community as “our” community, which displays a sense of national pride and an acknowledgement of those who might disagree with the ruling. Using words such as “deservedly,” Brennan shows that he truly does care about the value of the American flag, which serves as another acknowledgement of its importance. The duality of Brennan’s earnestness and directness serves his purpose well. After all, his court opinion was written specifically for the use of lower courts in their future rulings on similar cases. Brennan needed to be direct and matter-of-fact for the lower courts, but his earnestness was for the rest of America. In contrast, Allen used passion in order to persuade those who were upset by the …show more content…
In particular, his phrase “by the closest possible margin” insights a bit of rage in anyone who disagrees with the ruling. It might make them feel upset at the fact that the Supreme Court was so close to swaying in angry people’s favor. Allen goes on to say that “the American flag is a cherished symbol of our national aspirations” (lines 10-11). Opposers to the Supreme Court ruling are likely angry at this point, so Allen flips their intense emotions into a feeling of pride. He affirms their beliefs about the flag by agreeing with them, but he has not actually delivered his opinion yet. His passionate tone, which is seen in words such as “cherished,” has made opposers open to his opinion. Allen then states, “The Supreme Court was not wrong. Indeed, a decision contrary to the one reached would have been a definitive step away from our national aspirations” (lines 22-24). Allen simultaneously displays a direct and passionate tone. His passion is shown through words such as “definitive” and “national.” He uses Supreme Court opponents’ own passion against them in an attempt to sway their