The Great Influenza John Barry Analysis

451 Words2 Pages

The author of the Great Influenza, John M. Barry, informs future scientists about the characteristics of scientific research. Barry portrays the qualities of scientists by using an anaphora to convey what people think about scientific research. To further do so, he utilizes antithesis to emphasize the attributes needed to become a scientist. Moreover, he utilizes an analogy to say the difficulty in progressing. Barry elucidates a writing to explain to the readers that scientists need certain traits to succeed in the scientific field. Barry makes clear of what people portray science. He constantly implies the same word in consecutive sentences to emphasize the importance of certainty and uncertainty. He contrast the ideas “certainty creates strength” and “uncertainty creates weakness” in order to state that people must be certain to achieve success in science. Certainty is positive and uncertainty is negative. By stating the truth he wants to ensure that striving on uncertainty can result in a benefit and not just being certain. After explaining the significance of certainty and uncertainty, Barry defines the attributes needed, beyond the required, to excel in science investigation. He lists the necessary qualities that are not typically thought of when making the perfect …show more content…

The scene conveyed is of a scientist in the wilderness. A scientist does not know beyond the known. Barry puts the reader in a place where one step to the unknown they are going into a world where there is no reality and cause chaos. The comparison he uses “like a crystal to precipitate an order out of chaos” suggest scientific research can be disastrous. The scene conveys the difficulty of becoming a scientist and develops a serious tone to the audience that this is what the scientists must face. A scientist must have the necessary characteristics and courage to triumph in the world of