Rhetorical Analysis: Hardin's Metaphor Of Integrity

948 Words4 Pages

Hardin’s utilizes metaphors to aid the reader’s understanding of his article instead of confusing the reader. Essentially, Hardin gives the reader a scenario in which the reader, a citizen of a rich nation, floats safely abroad a lifeboat while the poor swim out to sea. The simplicity of his lifeboat metaphor actively engages the reader on the difficulty of survival when only a few can. Readers can easily picture themselves in this metaphoric life boat due to the common familiarity of life boats, or boats in general. In his second metaphor, Hardin, in his article stays on point without distracting the readers. To drive his distaste towards a world food bank, Hardin, creates the metaphor of a shared commons. Although accessible to the public, …show more content…

When introducing her argument, Whitty recounts a scene from an animated TV show. “The path seems parodoxically disconnected—like the business plan from South Park underpants gnomes: Step One, steal underpants…Step Three, get rich.” Quoting a comedic TV show, shows a more approachable and playful side of Whitty. Furthermore, Whitty continues to display her joking nature in her explanation of a diet. “My personal flab is not just a private matter between me and my coronary arteries.” Clearly differing from Hardin, Whitty does not take herself too seriously and her sense of humor confirms this. She also shows her optimism for by encouraging readers to unite for the sake of the planet. In addition, Whitty assures her readers that they each have an important role in saving the environment. However, Whitty’s optimism and humor may not appeal to those pursuing a realistic solution to a grim subject matter. While Whitty sounds nicer than Hardin, her article lacks the stringency of Hardin's …show more content…

Alternatively, Whitty relies on a combined movement of people to fight off global warming. “If enough of us pull it off, 22 percent has the power to fuel a movement our leaders will follow.” She also reassures her readers that they need to encourage others as well. “Everyone one of us has a voice, and every one of us is an expert with our own authority to speak.” Rather than leave the vast problem of global warming for a select few, she instead calls out for a collective effort for change. Essentially, the survival of the planet remains in the hands of all who inhabit it. However, if that were true humanity would already have fended off global