Lack Of Empathy Analysis

Human beings are kind and caring in nature. They exude a sense of compassion towards each other. This is called empathy. Humans care for one another and are mostly understanding of each other. However, this not always the case. Sometimes due to adolescence or pure cynicism. This lack of empathy can cause challenges in social relations, rendering empathy of utmost importance. Hence, the characterization of empathy is prevalent in multiple works, including text 3 and 4. Text 3, a comic panel, exhibits the lack of empathy in a simpler manner. It shows the lack of empathy through a paranoid cynic, a boy afraid of swimming who distrusts his lifeguard. It is later revealed that the lifeguard is also a cynic, complaining about how she’s doing the

The text is specifically created and altered to suit specific group of people. In this case, both texts were written for a similar audience. Text 3 has no specific audience or demographic rather, it targets undervalued people or people who do a lot for little in return, such as parents, teachers, even under appreciated students. This to humorously show the audience how they are never empathized with or understood. To categories text 3’s audience, it is possible to say that it is targeted towards young adults to adults. However, because the lifeguard is a college student, struggling to pay fees or tuitions, the text could also target older teens. Though it was written to entertain, the target audience will be able to detect the message of empathy lying between the lines. Hence why the author chose this group as they would be able to comprehend the message. Text 4, however, targets adults. Text 4 is a poem that is not very transparent and clear, therefore it would be challenging for a child to decipher the double entendres and hidden messages in it. The poem is a message about life and how its fair and just, again, something only an adult can fully understand and reflect upon. The chosen audience would most likely be able to identify and relate to the poem, because by reaching adulthood, they would have had many experiences, good and bad. The poem would inspire them to empathize

While both texts have similar audiences, purpose and theme, they utilize a different format to deliver their message. Text 3 is formatted as a comic of 4 panels. Text 4 in contrast, was a poem of 3 stanzas. Text 3’s format gives visual aid to the reader and allowed the author to use stylistic features such as hyperbole. It allowed the author to be creative and it kept the comic short and simple to the reader. The format might not be suitable, since comics are mostly read by adolescents, who might not comprehend the actual message of the text. Add to that, a sum of adults wouldn’t want to utilize their time, rather than read a comic. This undervalues the actual message of the text and underestimate its power, simply because of its format. On the other hand, text 4 is a poem written in 3 stanzas. The structure gave the author the liberty to be creative and use multiple literary devices. The format also allowed the author to separate 3 ideas into 3 stanzas to make the poem more coherent and comprehensible. The first stanza, for example, the narrator reflects upon life, on the other hand, in the second stanza he speaks of his experiences, and in the third, he gives his advice. Text 4’s format was more directed towards its audience, due to the complexity of the words, and the usage of double entendres, like when the author says, “till they dropped underground,” which suggests “they’s”