Rhetorical Analysis
The primary rhetorical strategy employed by Kozol throughout the novel are personal anecdotes, specifically his experiences with minority students within inner-city schools. The most striking topic that Jonathan Kozol brings to light in this section of The Shame of the Nation is the abominable conditions and lack of resources that children in minority schools must endure every day, because for many of them it is their only constructive option.
To fortify his credibility with his readers, Kozol begins chapter six, titled "A Hardening of Lines," with graphic, first-person recollections from his time spent in Harlem public schools, interviewing teachers and students and observing the accepted routines. Although it is out of my control, I can't help but feel guilty and extremely privileged when the author recounts, "'Many are in foster care— their parents may have died of AIDS or are in jail.' But even if they had the money for more teachers, said the principal, 'we wouldn't have the space,' and he unlocked a door to show me that his social studies teacher had to use a storage closet as her office" (144).
I have been blessed to attend schools throughout my entire life with better-than-average facilities, teachers that have received proper education and training, and luxuries that I took for granted like recess, short staircases, and school laptops that the students in the novel will never know.
Apart from educational materials, I was shocked by the lack of basic maintenance that the author described in the schools that he visited, especially because of the health risks posed to the students. The most dangerous concern that I have faced at school since I was young was the identification of harmful lead levels in the school water fountains earlier this year, which were immediately closed and investigated for repair. Meanwhile, elementary students in California reported seeing, " 'nine rats in the classroom,' " "blood all over the place,' " and, "one of the live rats climbing on her chair" (172).
If there was so much as one rat sighted in Harold Martin School, or any predominantly white public school, it would be handled quickly by the custodial staff, and school may even be closed for a day.
The fact that these young children are forced to risk their health and safety when they attend school is enraging and beyond unfair. This transcends separate but equal, and all of the "progress" that is said to have been accomplished in this country regarding race.
To fortify his credibility with his readers, Kozol begins chapter six, titled "A Hardening of Lines," with graphic, first-person recollections from his time spent in Harlem public schools, interviewing teachers and students and observing the accepted routines. Although it is out of my control, I can't help but feel guilty and extremely privileged when the author recounts, "'Many are in foster care— their parents may have died of AIDS or are in jail.' But even if they had the money for more teachers, said the principal, 'we wouldn't have the space,' and he unlocked a door to show me that his social studies teacher had to use a storage closet as her office" (144).
I have been blessed to attend schools throughout my entire life with better-than-average facilities, teachers that have received proper education and training, and luxuries that I took for granted like recess, short staircases, and school laptops that the students in the novel will never know.
Apart from educational materials, I was shocked by the lack of basic maintenance that the author described in the schools that he visited, especially because of the health risks posed to the students. The most dangerous concern that I have faced at school since I was young was the identification of harmful lead levels in the school water fountains earlier this year, which were immediately closed and investigated for repair. Meanwhile, elementary students in California reported seeing, " 'nine rats in the classroom,' " "blood all over the place,' " and, "one of the live rats climbing on her chair" (172).
If there was so much as one rat sighted in Harold Martin School, or any predominantly white public school, it would be handled quickly by the custodial staff, and school may even be closed for a day.
The fact that these young children are forced to risk their health and safety when they attend school is enraging and beyond unfair. This transcends separate but equal, and all of the "progress" that is said to have been accomplished in this country regarding race.
It is eye-opening to consider the situation that many students find themselves in. While the emotional appeals are certainly effective, do you think the book works on only your emotions? Does there need to be a balance of emotion and logic?
ReplyDeleteA balance of emotion and logic is definitely important in establishing an effective argument. In addition to his personal accounts, Kozol utilizes a number of statistics to fortify his appeals to pathos.
DeleteThe second paragraph really stood out to me. When recollections, or any piece of some sort, are in first person, it entirely changes the context, at least in my mind. It makes the piece much more interesting and allows the reader to truly process the information because of its high credibility. Do you think the author strategically put these first-person recollections in the beginning of the chapter?
ReplyDelete