Persuasive Analysis Of The Next Generation By Theodore Darymple

“The next generation has apocalypse written all over it” Persuasive analysis

The impact of tattoos on society has recently be debated in the Australian media. Theodore Dalrymple, on the 17th of March 2014, wrote an opinion piece for “The Australian” publication titled “The next generation has apocalypse written all over it”. In his piece, targeted at like minded, well educated, wealthy Australian, Dalrymple discusses his opinion of people with tattoos ruining society. To support this, Dalrymple has published an illustration by Eric Lobbecke along side his article. The illustration depicts a defaced “The Thinker” sculpture and portrays similar arguments to Dalrymple. This piece sparked retaliation in the form of an internet comment from Annemarie

In his article he uses exaggerations such as saying that people with tattoos are “disfigur[ing] themselves” and that because people have tattoos “society is doomed”. These position the reader to respond in an emotional manner to the negative connotation implied, allowing them to be more likely agree with Dalrymple’s stance. Dalrymple also uses the generalisations that tattoos “spread from prison” and that they are associated with “nihilism” to stereotype people with tattoos and persuade his audience into believing that all tattoos people are criminals and have no beliefs or morals. The use of the word “artist” and “beautiful” in a sarcastic manner helps imply to the audience, Dalrymple’s view that tattoos are a lesser form of art (if a form at all) thus, anyone associated with them would be of a lesser standing in society. Because of these sarcastic terms degrade, they also position Dalrymple as a superior figure therefore more believable to his audience. Finally, Dalrymple uses the simile of the music being like “poison gas” to parallel his idea that the people who have tattoos are like a virus on society and because of this will cause its

The illustration depicts a tattoo “artist” “disfiguring” the iconic “The Thinker” sculpture. To convey his stance, Lobbecke’s exaggerates the tattoo “artist’s” eyes and ears to make almost unhuman. These characteristics suggest to the audience that the “artist” is not of sound mind and positons to regard all people with tattoos in the same manner. To also further this generalised idea, Lobbecke’s has also drawn the “artist” in ill fitting and inappropriate clothing. Also, the use of irrelevant tribal style tattoos on the French sculpture subtly suggest to the audience that tattoos have no purposeful meaning and are culturally insensitive therefore the same can be said for their wearers. Lastly, Lobbecke’s uses the defacing of iconic sculpture to symbolise his idea of the downfall of society and its traditions. The pressure the reader into a feeling of fear and to agree Lobbecke’s with an urgent want for