For this weeks forum assignment, after reading the “Historic American Works” section under the supplemental reading list I chose to write my forum post on The Perils of Indifference by Elie Wiesel.
I saw the purpose of this speech not necessarily as a call to arms, it was not a speech meant to stir us by giving us visions of valiant actions or ideas of heroism. Instead, it looked to create action by describing what inaction was and what it meant to those who are affected by it. Although I was unable to identify a clear thesis, which may be from lack of knowledge, I clearly understood the topic without it.
I saw this from beginning to end as an extremely logical and organized speech. Following his introduction he defines what indifference is, asks how it becomes active in humans, demonstrates why some …show more content…
Elie Wiesel hooks the reader or listener by showing them something that to most of us seems inconceivable. A child with no joy, and a belief that he never will. He makes you want to know why, what would place a child in that frame of mind. Although the content of the speech is already known, and most can just hear the word Holocaust and be able to assume how a child could get to this, you still want to read on. Wiesel then closes out the speech even stronger, through experiences, arguments, examples, and history he states his argument on the perils of indifference. Closing his speech not with a profound statement but by placing that conclusion back into the hands of the listener, the reader. Wiesel ends by describing how the boy he was and the old man he is are one in the same. Wiesel says “And together we walk towards the new millennium, carried by profound fear and extraordinary hope.” (Wiesel) This ending leaves that future to us, we either give them fear or hope, but it is up to us to
I saw the purpose of this speech not necessarily as a call to arms, it was not a speech meant to stir us by giving us visions of valiant actions or ideas of heroism. Instead, it looked to create action by describing what inaction was and what it meant to those who are affected by it. Although I was unable to identify a clear thesis, which may be from lack of knowledge, I clearly understood the topic without it.
I saw this from beginning to end as an extremely logical and organized speech. Following his introduction he defines what indifference is, asks how it becomes active in humans, demonstrates why some …show more content…
Elie Wiesel hooks the reader or listener by showing them something that to most of us seems inconceivable. A child with no joy, and a belief that he never will. He makes you want to know why, what would place a child in that frame of mind. Although the content of the speech is already known, and most can just hear the word Holocaust and be able to assume how a child could get to this, you still want to read on. Wiesel then closes out the speech even stronger, through experiences, arguments, examples, and history he states his argument on the perils of indifference. Closing his speech not with a profound statement but by placing that conclusion back into the hands of the listener, the reader. Wiesel ends by describing how the boy he was and the old man he is are one in the same. Wiesel says “And together we walk towards the new millennium, carried by profound fear and extraordinary hope.” (Wiesel) This ending leaves that future to us, we either give them fear or hope, but it is up to us to