In this editorial from the Washington Post the “left-leaning” columnist Eugene Robinson mocks John Boehner’s reaction to the Obama Administration’s proposals on taxes and spending. In this article Eugene attempts to show that republicans in congress are being stubborn regarding fiscal policy as the “fiscal cliff” is approaching and they are not willing to increase the taxes on the wealthy. Eugene also wants to show that the democrats in congress and Obama are willing to compromise and that their policies are very reasonable. Eugene uses imagery, syntax, and diction to effectively portray her opinion.
Robinson uses imagery to express his opinions about the Republicans in congress. Saying of Geithner that he "sounds like the doctor who says you might feel a 'pinch' or a bit of 'discomfort.' Meanwhile, he’s coming at you with a needle the size of an ice pick." This simile relates to a lot of Americans. Most Americans hate going to the doctor to get shots and so painting Geithner as the doctor giving the shot carries with it a negative connotation. This simile also makes the Republicans seem like they are downplaying their ideas as just a “pinch” when in reality their ideas have much greater effects.
Robinson uses syntax to put emphasis on certain aspects of the editorial. Robinson uses paragraphs to place emphasis on certain sentences or points that he thinks are important. For example the last paragraph is a mere nine words. He finished this editorial with “Hence Boehner’s urgency. Time is not on his side." Finishing the paper with a a short paragraph that contrasts greatly from the previous 65 word paragraph makes it stand out more to the reader. When a short sentence or two are stuck in a paragraph by themselves like Eugene often does it gives the reader a short pause in the flow of the editorial to take in what has just been said. Therefore the short paragraphs are used to make the reader think a little harder about what has been said in them. Another way that the author emphasizes what he considers to be the most important details in the story is his use of questions. Eugene uses sarcastic questions to mock Boehner and the other republicans in congress. Robinson started of the editorial with a series of questions. He said, “How dare he? President Obama, I mean: How dare he do what he promised during the campaign? How dare he insist on a “balanced approach” to fiscal policy that includes a teensy-weensy tax increase for the rich? Oh, the humanity. This melodramatic statement is clearly meant to mock the Republicans in congress and is an interesting way to start the paper. Eugene uses the questions here to show how he thinks the republicans are thinking in response to the new proposals. He begins by using a very vague question,”How dare he?”. This grabs the reader attention right away as they want to find out what happened. He then clarifies what he means with the following question. This question-answer technique is utilized throughout the paper and really draws the reader’s interest to what the answer is.
Eugene uses diction to mock the Republicans and to portray Obama in a positive light. He uses words such as “teensy-weensy” when referring to the proposed tax hike on the wealthy by the Obama Administration to show how minuscule and reasonable it is. “Teensy-weensy” makes the tax hikes seem almost negligible and makes the conservatives seem unreasonable for not agreeing to them. Eugene also said, “Republicans are having conniptions” in response to seeing the Obama Administration’s proposals. The word “conniptions” makes the republicans seem over-emotional about the proposals and after he described how “reasonable” Obama’s proposals were it shows that the republicans in congress are unwilling to budge. Using the word “conniptions” makes the Republicans seem like they are hysterical because they don’t know what to do and lack control.
Eugene Robinson created a very persuasive editorial using many literary techniques to show the stubbornness of John Boehner and the rest of the republicans in congress with respect to the fiscal crisis, while portraying the democrats as reasonable and compromising.
I like your imagery paragraph, because I can relate to that situation. For the syntax paragraph you should do more explanation and analysis, I understand short sentences were used, but why? For emphasis? or to show a sarcastic tone? I like your other syntax example though, because you brought in the idea of a mocking tone. In your last paragraph (diction) your idea is contadicting, because you say it sheds a negative light on Republicans, but a positive light on Romney. I think your diction examples are well thought out and have good explanations though.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a well written essay, and it helps readers see what the author is trying to point out indirectly. I think your diction paragraph works though, because it kind of relates back to your imagery paragraph. The "teensy-weensy" part relates back to the "you might feel a little pinch" part, and it helps show how it isn't going to be anything too big, but in reality it definitely is.
ReplyDeleteRemember when you are referring to the author, each time you should use either first or last name (last typically preferred) and stick to it throughout the whole thing. That's definitely something I mess up on all the time. Another thing is that I noticed that you began every paragraph with "Robinson uses___", try to mix it up a bit and vary your opening paragraph sentences to make it less bland for the reader. Good job in your examples, it was a good essay to dissect and you used DIDLS well.
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