The Burka Jill Singer Analysis

However, Jill Singer in her opinion piece argues that the Burka should be banned as it is a symbol of oppression and inequality. Singer emphasises that the burka is “a symbol of subservience that turns woman into prisoners”. Singer makes good use of negative connotations such as “oppression”, “masochist” and “subservience” to generate an emotional response in the reader. The readership can be caught up in Singer’s heightened state of empathy for the women who are treated as worthless and objects of oppression. By drawing on the reader’s emotion, Singer is able to position the reader to think that in a modernised society, women should not be treated unequally to such an extent, thus making them side with her. Moreover, Singer presents the burka

Evans illustrates that the burka should be banned because it is against freedom, equality and solidarity, however at the same time it shouldn’t, because that would be against freedom, equality and solidarity. Evans through reason and logic illustrates that people don’t want the burka banned because everyone has the right to freedom of choice and equality and that it should be banned because of the same reason, that women need freedom and equality. By encouraging logical thinking, Evans positions the viewer to see that banning the burka is not the solution, rather a better one is

Where the editorial believes that the burka shouldn’t be banned because a better solution is needed, Singer and Pearson both argue that it should as it is degrading and a symbol of male dominance. The editorial makes use of short paragraphs to make their argument clear and concise. This is in contrast to the opinion piece which uses long paragraphs filled with loaded words to further emphasise the negatives the burka represents. The editorial sardonically points out the hypocritical nature of people in western countries, who believe the burka is a symbol of repression, yet they are competent with Islamic countries being invaded and used as mineral revenue. This is obviously in contrast to the letter to the editor and the opinion piece, who harshly suggest the burka to be banned, as it is a symbol of oppression, subservience and inequality. Taking a similar approach to the editorial, the cartoon by Evans suggests that a better solution is needed to the burka issue. Where Pearson uses an image to facilitate his contention that the burka should be banned, the opinion piece and editorial does so without the presence of an image. Through varying uses of language, all four texts are able to encourage the reader to side with their point of view and understand that the banning of the burka is a major issue in Australian society