Analyzing Jason Reynolds Speech

In his credible commencement speech given to the graduating class of 2018 at Lesley University, well-known author Jason Reynolds humorously opens his speech by elevating the meaning of objects to represent other ideas and describing an action by using comparisons to emphasize that we all need to stay tethered to each other, otherwise, no one will feel empathy towards those who are suffering. Jason Reynolds appeals to his audience by evoking feelings of compassion and urges others to uplift one another. He does so by elevating the meaning of different objects to represent ideas. Reynolds opened up his speech with traditional ideas and phrases that most people have been exposed to and can relate to, such as the common cliche, “Get out there,

We are all being told to ‘go out there and spread our wings,’ with that being done, we will be above others and try to reach success on our own. In all reality, that is something we should not do. Reynolds ironically closes his speech by saying, “...spread your wings, those broad wings you’ve been developing — the ones you’ve been fortunate enough to be reminded of over and over again — spread them as widely as possible, and in every direction, and ask if anyone else could use a feather or two.” When Reynolds says this quote, he changes the view of many graduates sitting there that day. He was telling them to go out and use the wings they were fortunate to have, such as their diplomas. Instead of going into the world, and planning out how they can fly above others, they should use their wings, their gifts, to make the world better, and offer those who are less fortunate a hand so that everyone can be more successful together, rather than alone. Reynolds connected to his audience on an intellectual and emotional level that would help them understand the importance of staying engaged with

Williams, not to touch under any circumstances or suspension would be the punishment. Mr. Reynolds tells the audience, “But about a month into Confucius’s residency, just after its daily feeding, Mr. Williams casually walked over to the tank and, using a net, removed the fish and set it on the floor. It flipped and flopped and flapped, gasping, inflating, deflating, dying in front of us. We gathered around to watch it, mortified, afraid, confused, until finally, two young ladies shuffled into the circle, scooped Confucius up like a live grenade, and tossed the fish back into the tank.” Mr. Reynolds’ use of detail and specific word choice when telling the story allows the audience to visually imagine the situation occurring. The class watches the fish die as he is set on the ground, gasping for water as the air fills his lungs. Two females within the class break the silence and quickly rush to pick up and save the fish. In response to this, the teacher, Mr. Williams, tells the two students to pack their belongings as they are being suspended for breaking the rules about not touching the