Arthur M. Schlesinger's The Cult Of Ethnicity

Writing About Writing Authors write for different reasons, at times it is to inform the reader on a particular or several subjects, others it is to persuade the reader on a particular opinion. It does not matter which reason the writer is using to convey their opinion, a few things must remain true. The Author must be able to show his conviction, while remaining subjective and must be able to address their subject to their audience. Author Arthur M. Schlesinger, in his essay, “The Cult of Ethnicity” tries to convey his thoughts on the racial convictions we as people have towards each other and how that affects our society positively or negatively. He does a great job in creating a neutral atmosphere throughout his essay. The beginning of …show more content…
Writing the essays in a hateful, spiteful manner could cloud the reason for him writing his essay, and make it baseless. Schlesinger starts his essay by giving an example of the importance mixing of races has been for the world. He has given it the premise that it is what most in large has created history. This is a very neutral tone towards the bigger issue which he has not gotten into yet. He then goes on to give his thesis, this by in large gives us his view on the subject. He continues the essay by examples to prove his thesis, many different nations which in our time have conflicts which have to do with racial and ethnic groups. He poses an either serious question towards his audience or rhetorical one for his audience to make a conclusion about, this question is concerning the actually of a nation that has broken the bounds of having a ethic and racial conflict. He is trying to fight his thesis I surmise to give it more power once he proves it correct once again. He answers his own question in the next paragraph giving the example of the United States being a country in which has broken that said issue of racial and ethnic separation. In the next few sentences he gives us information which proves that the United States had turned in to a “Melting Pot”. The “Melting Pot” has created s society which has mixed different races together in to one, a …show more content…
She has a particularly unique background when it comes to her English and its development. She had a realization during an event she was making a speech for. At this event her mother was present, and while giving her speak she felt something was wrong. What she had realized was that this was the first time her mother had heard her speak “proper” English. Once she had this realization she looked backed at where this started. Tan was explaining how language had influenced her. She looks back and remembers experiences where she had to help her mother speak to others due to miscommunication from her mother’s “broken” English. She doesn’t like the use of “broken” to describe her mother’s English; to Tan her mother’s English was fine, she could understand her perfectly, on the other hand could not. Tan is describing how she felt towards the language barrier other had towards her mother. Tan felt as if her mother did have “broken” English because others could not understand her mother. This was a sad reality for Tan and her mother. People would not respect her mother and Tan would have to talk in her place. Tan has a way of creating a sense of reason, for all that she is describing. It creates an atmosphere of empathy for her mother. This makes it feel closer to home. I could say that I