TOW #10: Smoking Can Kill Visual Text

     

     Smoking - probably one of most harmful diseases that could be the most underestimated. To those who have never smoked before,  the idea of it can be rather revolting but to those who have done it for years, it can be rather appetizing. An advertisement that supports abstaining from smoking created the image of a person using cigarettes as bullets to put into a gun. In order to convince the audience that smoking is not just a harmful substance but also a weapon, the advertisement uses dark colors, symbolism and rhetorical questions that provide a solid argument. 
     The color that can arguably represent death the most is black. The entire background of this advert is black which can also connect to the color of black ash created after smoking. Also, the use of the gun is a symbol is murder but the difference is that smoking is like committing suicide. The person smoking decided to smoke and decided to harm themselves. Lastly, the question the advert asks is "Smoking kills so why bother?" This is a rather deep question that could very well convince many people to abstain from starting to smoke. It would not make sense to start smoking if it is not possible to live after it. 
     The entire purpose of this advert is to create an even darker image of smoking other than just saying that it is harmful. People think that smoking is not that bad because many people live for quite a long time while smoking. I think that this advert proved its purpose. It has a powerful image of a gun and can really cut deep into a person's emotions when they think about suicide. A lot of the times, people think of pleasure rather than their own health. This advertisement is definitely highlighting that flaw in human nature. 

TOW #9: Everything Comes to an End

     Death can be viewed as a horrible concept as many people have experienced unbearable effects from it. Following the death of a loved one can bring depression, anger and even the desire to see them just one more time. Eva Gabrielsson, the partner of Stieg Larson, got her wish but in a unique way. Stieg Larson, the author of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," passed away on November 9th, 2004 but wrote a letter in 1977 to Gabrielsson when he was 22 years old: just before his trip to Africa. This letter was marked "To be opened only after my death," which is exactly what happened when Eva read it for the first time in front of a crowd at Larson's funeral. In Larson's letter, he uses anaphora and the appeal to logos in order to convince Gabrielsson that death is a natural occurrence and that there is no reason to suffer because he is now gone.
     Repetition can be looked at as rather mundane, but Larson uses it in an effective way. He wants to confess his undying love to Gabrielsson by saying, "I want you to know that I love you more than I've ever loved anyone. I want you to know I mean that seriously. I want you to remember me but not grieve for me." The repetition of "I want you" is such an important line in his letter. He is expressing his dying wish and showing that he believes that even though they were in love, there is no reason for his death to completely destroy her life. Also, his appeal to logos can help convince Gabrielsson that death is natural and nothing to be horribly upset about. He introduces the idea by saying, "the stars die, the galaxies die, the planets die. And people die too." By describing the world around him and by explaining that it is completely okay that he died, Gabrielsson is more likely to realize that his death is an ordinary event.
     Originally, his letter was directly addressed to his Eva, but this was before Larson become a successful author. If he were to write this later in his life after his book became a best-seller, he would most likely have written to the public because his life would not have been as private. I completely believe that he achieved his purpose because his letter definitely made me realize that even though death can be extremely heart-wrenching, it is just the way of life.

IRB Intro Post #2

The book that I decided to read this marking period is called "Running with Scissors" by Augusten Burroughs. This book is a New York Times bestseller and is a personal memoir about Augusten growing up in a bizarre household when his mom is no longer fit to take care of him. I chose this book because it was recommended to me by a friend, but I have also read a few strange reviews that interested me. I have heard that this book is for mature readers, so I am excited for the challenge.

TOW #8: Eat, Pray, Love (IRB #2)

     When I finally finished reading Liz Gilbert's "Eat, Pray, Love," I decided that this has to be one of the most unique and inspiring memoirs that I have ever read. Traveling the world may not seem like a creative topic to reflect on, but once you learn about her experiences, you instantly realize why this book has impacted a numerous amount of people. Gilbert states that probably one of the most important things she learned because of her journey is that you must be focused on finding happiness for yourself. You must "fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it…you have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings." This, I believe, is her purpose.
     She was caught in a horrible situation and in order for her to feel better, she did something drastic. She traveled the world, she fell in love, she learned new languages, she meditated, and most of all, she learned that sometimes you need to be selfish. This is something that possibly everyone can relate to, which is why her book has been so successful. It is able to reach everyone. Her audience is so widespread and because of her fantastic writing abilities, she was able to form a fantastic book.
     An important aspect of her book is her powerful diction. Her choice of words immediately can change a person's mind, and this also brings the appeal to pathos. She uses words such as "relentlessly" and "fight" as a way to encourage people to find their happy place. This is inspiring, especially when you explore the heartbreak and sacrifice that it took for her to reach this conclusion. Some might say that the only way to enjoy your life is so find happiness and that it shouldn't take a genius to figure that out. Although this could be true, no one ever does it. It takes someone else's life to convince you that you need to take care of yourself. As stated before, this is her purpose and I definitely believe that she achieved it. She forces the reader to reevaluate their life which takes a truly powerful and talented author to do.