James Henggeler
Mrs. Rhodes
Pre-AP English 10
18 October 2017
“On Compassion”
A clear perspective was described in “On Compassion” by Ascher Lazear Ascher. This perspective by Ascher is no one is born with compassion, rather people learn through experiences in their life. Throughout the article Ascher enforces this perspective using descriptive scenarios, compelling questions, and the institution of similes are used to help the reader better understand her outlook on Compassion.
Ascher's descriptive scenarios in “On Compassion” actualize the concept of compassion as a learned quality for the reader. In the beginning of the article, Ascher describes a character: “His buttonless shirt, with one sleeve missing, hangs outside the waist of his …show more content…
An example of this is in paragraph eight where Ascher asks: “...what compels this woman to feed this man? Pity? Care? Compassion? Or does she simply want to rid her shop of his troublesome presence?” The fact that Ascher asks whether the woman give the man food because shes cares, or because she just feels sorry for him represents Ascher's viewpoint on compassion. This viewpoint is the idea that people could do good even if they have the most selfish meaning to do so. Another example in in the fourteenth paragraph where Ascher explains: “We cannot deny the existence of the helpless as their presence grows.” In this sentence Ascher continues her idea of people constantly doing near to nothing to help those in need, or even realizing the problem. Ascher has another strong sentence in the final few sentences of the article that say: “Could it be the homeless, like those ancients, are reminding us of our common humanity...This play doesn’t end and the players can’t go home.” Using this sentence helped finish Aschers feelings towards the questions of compassion ended the article keeping the reader thinking. These questions helped keep tension on the topic of compassion to the very end. Moreover, her use of similes helps the reader better understand Aschers viewpoint on …show more content…
Using similes can help the reader better understand what is being compared. Like in the fifth paragraph when Ascher says: “The mother grows impatient and pushes the stroller before her, bearing the dollar like a cross.” In this sentence the dollar and a cross are being compared. A cross is usually related with religion. Like religion, money is thought of as special and precious to those who have it. When the woman bears the dollar like a cross, it can be inferred that the dollar should be see as something special and honored. A second simile is used in the fourth paragraph saying: “Like a bridegroom waiting at the altar, his eyes pierce the white veil.” This sentence compares the scenario of the man being offered money, to a man who just sees his soon to be wife walking down the aisle. In both moments, the man involved is staring very intently at what he considers as a great treasure. The initiation of similes into the article is important to the reader for helping understand clearer on the topic in which Ascher is writing
Mrs. Rhodes
Pre-AP English 10
18 October 2017
“On Compassion”
A clear perspective was described in “On Compassion” by Ascher Lazear Ascher. This perspective by Ascher is no one is born with compassion, rather people learn through experiences in their life. Throughout the article Ascher enforces this perspective using descriptive scenarios, compelling questions, and the institution of similes are used to help the reader better understand her outlook on Compassion.
Ascher's descriptive scenarios in “On Compassion” actualize the concept of compassion as a learned quality for the reader. In the beginning of the article, Ascher describes a character: “His buttonless shirt, with one sleeve missing, hangs outside the waist of his …show more content…
An example of this is in paragraph eight where Ascher asks: “...what compels this woman to feed this man? Pity? Care? Compassion? Or does she simply want to rid her shop of his troublesome presence?” The fact that Ascher asks whether the woman give the man food because shes cares, or because she just feels sorry for him represents Ascher's viewpoint on compassion. This viewpoint is the idea that people could do good even if they have the most selfish meaning to do so. Another example in in the fourteenth paragraph where Ascher explains: “We cannot deny the existence of the helpless as their presence grows.” In this sentence Ascher continues her idea of people constantly doing near to nothing to help those in need, or even realizing the problem. Ascher has another strong sentence in the final few sentences of the article that say: “Could it be the homeless, like those ancients, are reminding us of our common humanity...This play doesn’t end and the players can’t go home.” Using this sentence helped finish Aschers feelings towards the questions of compassion ended the article keeping the reader thinking. These questions helped keep tension on the topic of compassion to the very end. Moreover, her use of similes helps the reader better understand Aschers viewpoint on …show more content…
Using similes can help the reader better understand what is being compared. Like in the fifth paragraph when Ascher says: “The mother grows impatient and pushes the stroller before her, bearing the dollar like a cross.” In this sentence the dollar and a cross are being compared. A cross is usually related with religion. Like religion, money is thought of as special and precious to those who have it. When the woman bears the dollar like a cross, it can be inferred that the dollar should be see as something special and honored. A second simile is used in the fourth paragraph saying: “Like a bridegroom waiting at the altar, his eyes pierce the white veil.” This sentence compares the scenario of the man being offered money, to a man who just sees his soon to be wife walking down the aisle. In both moments, the man involved is staring very intently at what he considers as a great treasure. The initiation of similes into the article is important to the reader for helping understand clearer on the topic in which Ascher is writing