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Different rhetorical strategies used by Elie Wiesel in his speech The Perils of Indifference
Elie wiesel the perils of indifference
Elie wiesel experience with the holocaust
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Jonathan Dixon Mrs. Turner English II Honors 18/4/23 Title: Subtitle “Indifference reduces the other to an abstraction” (Wiesel). The Holocaust was a dark period in time, categorized by the discriminate genocide of many marginalized groups, most notably Jewish people. During this time, many chose to ignore the persecution of innocent people, deciding to instead turn a blind eye to the injustice happening with their knowledge. In “The Perils of Indifference”, Elie Wiesel uses pathos, rhetorical questions, and loaded words to emphasize the dangers of being blind to the suffering of others, using his own experience as a catalyst to do so.
In his influential 1999 speech, “Perils of Indifference,” Elie Weisel brought attention to the problem of indifference in society, and in the government. After his experiences as a child survivor of the Holocaust, he believed people were indifferent toward the dilemmas of others and chose to not care to help them, for their own sake. In his speech, he recalls historical events to prove how much the world has been affected by the dangers of indifference and forces his audience to self-reflect on this issue by asking rhetorical questions, introducing them to different points of view, and showing its effects. With this, he makes a call to action and with hope, inspires his audience to make a change. As history keeps changing, it is important
Holocaust survivor and author of the novel, Night, Elie Wiesel in his speech, “The Perils of Indifference,” claims that indifference is not only a sin, but is an act of dehumanization. He begins to develop his claim by defining the word indifference, then enlightens the audience about his personal experiences living through the war, and finally asks the audience how they will change as they enter a new millennium. Wiesel’s purpose throughout his speech is to convince his audience not to be indifferent to those who were and are being treated cruelly and unjustly. He creates tones of guardedness , disappointment, abandonment, and hopefulness in order for his audience to see his perspective during the horrific times of the war.
Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor, Nobel Laureate and the author of Night, gave the speech “Perils of Indifference” on April 12, 1999 during the Millennium Lecture series which was hosted by President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton. According to Bill Clinton, “The White House millennium program will guide and direct America's celebration of the millennium by showcasing the achievements that define us as a nation -- our culture, our scholarship, our scientific exploration," going into the new twenty-first century (White House Plans Millennium Celebrations). Wiesel was invited to speak about the horrific Holocaust, which happened during the years 1933-1945 and to try help move on from the past it as the world goes into a new millennium.
Jewish writer, professor,political activist, Elie wiesel in his memorable speech “ The perils of indifference” asserts that being “indifferent” is a major impact in people's lives. He develops his message by emphasizing the world’s indifference. For example on paragraph 13 wisel states “Indifference, then is not only a sin,it is a punishment.” Meaning that lack of concern leads to “inescapable consequences”. In addition throughout Wiesel’s speech he talks about what indifference means to him and how it is not impactful to humanity and the inhumanity of it .
Restoring Humanity Author Elie Wiesel in his moving speech “Perils of Indifference” argues that mass genocide is often overlooked by those who remain indifferent. Fifty four years later, Wiesel recalls memories of his time spent in the concentration camps of Buchenwald; along with nine million others who were brutally tortured and murdered. The haunting question remains in the back of his mind-- Why didn’t anyone attempt to stop it? Now, Wiesel directs this Question towards America and anyone else who looked the other way during those harsh times. Wiesel states “Those non- Jews, those Christians, that we called the ‘Righteous Gentiles,’ whose selfless acts of heroism saved the honor of their faith.
In the speech titled "Perils of Indifference," Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor and Nobel Laureate, emphasizes the dangers of indifference in the face of injustice and suffering. Wiesel starts by sharing his personal experience in the Nazi concentration camps, highlighting the dehumanization and brutal treatment he and others endured. He uses these examples to illustrate how indifference, or a lack of concern, can allow atrocities to persist. Wiesel stresses the importance of empathy, compassion, and taking action to prevent similar situations from happening again. In doing so, he aims to inspire listeners to confront indifference and work towards a more just world.
In the “Perils of Indifference” speech Elie Wiesel persuades his readers to understand that no one should ever be judged for being different from others. During Wiesel's speech he was explaining when he woke up one morning close to an internal infamy called Buchenwald where he was free and no longer felt joy; he never would again. “In a way indifference to the suffering is what makes the human being inhuman.” This quote shows that Wiesel thinks that indifference is a sin, and that indifference is worse than hatred. Wiesel came from a place where society was composed of the killers, victims, and bystanders, of which he was a victim of indifference.
In this essay we will review the historical side and the persuasive writing side of Elie Wiesel’s speech “The Perils of Indifference”. We will give some background information on why they gave this speech. Tell you what appeals he used and if he used all three of the persuasive writing appeals ( emotional, logical, ethical ). Why the speech is very widely admired and cherished and still highly regarded. Also how the author used the appeals.
The speeches “Perils of Indifference” by Elie Wiesel and Barack Obama’s Presidential nomination speech both use rhetorical strategies. They use these to persuade the audience to agree with their opinions. ” Perils of indifference” by Elie Wiesel persuades the audience to stop being indifferent because it is dangerous. In Barack Obama’s Presidential nomination speech, he persuades the audience to make America a better place. While these speeches both use different rhetorical strategies Elie Wiesil has the stronger argument because of his use of rhetorical questions and pathos.
When Wiesel makes it clear that he has suffered personal loss, he is evoking an emotional response from his audience. By stating that he senses their presence “The presence of my parents, that of my little sister.” the audience empathizes with him and the horror of the Holocaust is made more clear for them. They cannot only understand his feelings; they can connect to them which strengthens their understanding of the need to act whenever they witness inhumanity.
Alan Hua Mr. Armenta CP English 2B Period 5 10 May, 2024 The Power of Indifference Today To a certain extent, indifference is reenacted everywhere around the world. There is always a lifetime of someone who turns a blind eye to someone else who desperately needs support. As prevalent in Wiesel's “Night”, we see the issue of indifference throughout the events in the story. Guards compared people to dogs in the notion they would be put down as one, bystanders or civilians throwing bread to humans like pigeons, fellow prisoners who face the same situation slaughter one another to ensure their chance at freedom.
The general statement made by Elie Wiesel in his speech, The Perils of Indifference, is that indifference is sinful. More specifically, Wiesel argues that awareness needs to be brought that indifference is dangerous. He writes “Indifference is not a beginning, it is an end”. In this speech, Wiesel is suggesting that indifference is dangerous it can bring the end to many lives. In conclusion Wiesel's belief is suggesting that indifference is an end, it needs to be noticed and taken care of.
Wiesel starts his speech by recounting an experience from his childhood. He opens his speech with “Fifty-four years ago to the day, a young Jewish boy from a small town in the Carpathian Mountains woke up…” Through reciting a narrative in a third person voice, he stylistically frames his argument on indifference. Wiesel admonishes those who chose to “look away from victims” because in not “offering them a spark of hope”, we are betraying our own. Due to the positive social reforms the President is undertaking, he is filled with gratitude.
Elie Wiesel Rhetorical Speech Analysis Elie Wiesel, a holocaust survivor and winner of a Nobel peace prize, stood up on April 12, 1999 at the White House to give his speech, “The Perils of Indifference”. In Wiesel’s speech he was addressing to the nation, the audience only consisted of President Clinton, Mrs. Clinton, congress, and other officials. The speech he gave was an eye-opener to the world in his perspective. Wiesel uses a variety of rhetorical strategies and devices to bring lots of emotion and to educate the indifference people have towards the holocaust. “You fight it.
