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9/11 The Falling Man Critical Analysis

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Comparing “Leap” and “9/11: The Falling Man” Documentary Since September 11, 2001, many books and movies have been made about the tragic events that occurred on that day. The two genres that I will be analyzing are Brian Doyle’s essay “Leap” and Henry Singer’s documentary “9/11: The Falling Man.” By comparing these separate genres, we will better understand how the qualities from “The Art of the Personal Essay” fit the reader’s expectations on the subject. One element that effectively builds a case for “Leap” is the quality of Questions of Form and Style. According to “The Art of the Personal Essay,” the element of Questions of Form and Style allows the essay, “a notoriously flexible and adaptable form. It possesses the freedom to move …show more content…

The image that is constantly used in this documentary was Richard Drew’s photograph “The Falling Man”. This image caught a glimpse of a man suspended in time: eloquently embodying the events of the day. By using braided imagery, it allowed the audience to see and hear simultaneously of an event that took place. As we can see, this quality can only be used in video essays, because you can only read about what has occurred in personal essays. This is just one unique quality that Singer uses to connect the audience to the subject …show more content…

Lopate’s “The Art of the Personal Essay” states that, “if the essayist can delve further underneath, until we feel the topic has been handled as honestly, as fairly as possible, then at least one essential condition of a successful personal essay has been met” (xxv). Singer’s “9/11: The Falling Man” cuts to the core of “The Falling Man” photograph and discusses why it should be a symbolism of bravery. By critically examining this photograph, it allows the audience to see a different perspective that wasn’t discovered in mainstream

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