Body Blows Are Par For Course But Racist Boos Hit Soul Deep By Bob Murphy

In the article titled, “Body blows are par for course, but racist boos hit soul deep”, written by Bob Murphy, he contends that AFL fans should stop booing the football player, Adam Goodes. Murphy aims the article at fans that are tempted to also join in heckling on the players. Firstly, Murphy argues that physical injury is prepared for in the sport, but it is difficult to adjust to emotional blows. Secondly, he believes that Goodes is a hero, in both his abilities and his resilience to the insults. Lastly, he points out.

Murphy argues that most football players get used to the physical elements of football, but struggle to get used to the mental elements. Murphy employs imagery in the phrase ‘take a hit’ to describe how footballers prepare for a game. He points out that footballers are physically strong and they expect to experience physical pain. However he uses an extended metaphor, “There is no training or armour for those kind of hits to the soul” to suggest that players can learn to protect themselves from physical pain, but not emotional pain. In doing this, Murphy positions the audience to sympathise with Adam Goodes.

The word used has positive connotations, to reflect on Goodes and his actions in a positive light. In the statement “He’s a hero to so many footballers […]”, it depicts him as a good person in the eyes of other influential public figures. This causes the reader to see Goodes as a more responsible figure than in more negative sides of general opinion, and it justifies actions that some may have been opposed to. The term “superstar” raises Goodes to a higher level of existence, exaggerating his ability. “An icon of the modern game,” Murphy comments, which is another exaggeration that elevates his skill to make him almost synonymous with the game. The different exaggerations and connotations are intended to reflect on Goodes’ character