The fervent ideal-searching that entails scientific research is an endeavor that encompasses not only intellectual bounds but also the mental and emotional fixtures present in the mind of a scientific pioneer. Mere thoughts and notions become materialized tools and obstacles, and the journey that takes place within becomes the foundation by which scientific theory is ascertained. Wielding thoughts as stepping stones is crucial to the duty of the scientist, and even a degree of uncertainty must be harnessed for success and improvement. In this excerpt from The Great Influenza, John M. Barry pieces together a passionate study on the character of scientific research through the artful use of rhetorical strategies including syntax, hypothetical
Throughout history, authors utilize the written word to either expose grievous faults within society or celebrate the feats of society. John Steinbeck is certainly no exception as he has constructed many pieces which serve to enlighten the audience on the accomplishments and faults of society. The novel, The Grapes of Wrath, written by John Steinbeck attempts to expose faults within society which include prejudice and the overwhelming desire for greed. He does so through his use of allusions, diction, and characterization. John Steinbeck in the novel, The Grapes of Wrath, attempts to expose one of society’s most detrimental flaws--prejudice through the use of repetition and characterization.
In the passage from John M. Barry’s The Great Influenza, Barry makes us of an extended metaphor of scientific research as an unexplored wilderness, a motif of uncertainty, a comprehensible diction and admiring tone, and bookended explanatory paragraphs to characterize scientific research as a courageous pursuit to bring order from chaos. Throughout the piece, Barry develops the metaphor in a fashion which closely parallels the steps of the scientific method, giving the reader a better understanding of the work of scientists. In an effort to promote scientific research to the general public, he focuses on its positive aspects and the character traits of scientists. In order to appeal to a wide audience, Barry uses an extended metaphor to compare the seemingly abstract and unreachable concept of scientific research to the mentally attainable image of pioneers settling a virgin wilderness.
John Steinbeck has a style of writing unparalleled in history and in the modern world. In the same way, his philosophies are also unparalleled, with his focus in socialism not extending to communism or abnegation of spiritualism. His ideal world is utopian, holding the dust bowl migrant at the same level as the yeoman farmer was held in Jeffersonian times. In The Grapes of Wrath Steinbeck Steinbeck, who posses impregnable technique, conveys his message of a group working tirelessly for the betterment of the community.
Steinbeck’s use of rhetorical strategies throughout the passage enables him to illustrate his message about free will, emphasizing the potential and significance of timshel and creativity in the essence of humanity and the threats against it. He utilizes diction, imagery, and rhetorical appeals to elucidate his message and persuade readers of their role in asserting their individuality. Steinbeck’s use of imagery in the first paragraph illustrates the extent of the potential of free will through his vivid description of the “glory [that] lights up the mind of a man” (Steinbeck 131) and its transformative qualities. This is significant as it delineates the role of free will in humanity, defining a “man’s importance in the world.” (Steinbeck
Bradbury truly was a bibliophile who used his novel, Fahrenheit 451, to show society the necessity of the books in a society to continue the culture and attitudes for human creativity and for the generations to come (Paradowski). George recounted Bradbury’s opinion of his novel when George reported, “‘I'm not a science fiction writer,’ he was frequently quoted as saying. ‘I've written only one book of science fiction [Fahrenheit 451]. All the others are fantasy. Fantasies are things that can't happen, and science fiction is about things that can happen.’”
Literature, being one of the main resources for young minds, plays a surprisingly large role in the course of their growth. Authors of pieces of literature have beliefs and morals that, whether intentional or not, are incorporated into their texts, indirectly affecting the readers’ mindset as well. This is noticeably depicted in the four texts, Fahrenheit 451, Animal Farm, “A Stolen Party”, and “The Necklace”. In Fahrenheit 451, a novel by Ray Bradbury, an idealistic utopian society is created where curiosity and knowledge are considered dangerous, clearly an attempt by Bradbury to influence the readers’ general viewpoint towards the idea. Animal Farm, a novella written by George Orwell, highlights the corruption and the treachery that comes
Imagine people thinking they are more important than you based on their economic and social class. Imagine everything you have achieved get taken away from you because you are in a lower class. During the 1960s, this is what was happening in the Dominican Republic. Marxism is the economic theory that human actions are economically determined and class struggle is needed to create historical change. In the Time of the Butterflies, the Mirabal family is among the middle class in this communist-run country.
His use of the word monstrous indicates that the lack of free will dehumanizes individuals, further asserting the importance of individuality. His statement that “I will fight against it to preserve the one thing that separates us from the uncreative beasts” (Steinbeck 38-39) reiterates how free will distinguishes humans from monsters through Steinbeck’s use of the word beast. Steinbeck’s diction here allows him to emphasize the importance of creativity in humanity and supports his plea to readers to fight for their free will. Consisting of pathos, his use of this rhetorical strategy relies on the readers’ fear of losing their humanity to render his argument effective. His ending remark that “It is a sad suicidal course our species seems to have taken” (Steinbeck 32) and “If the glory can be killed, we are lost” (Steinbeck 39) further utilizes pathos to invoke fear in readers and to persuade individuals to fight to preserve their humanity, manipulating readers’ fear of losing their identity to encourage them to assert their
On February 27, 1902 in Salinas Valley, California John Ernst Steinbeck Jr. was born to John Ernst Steinbeck Sr. and Olive Hamilton Steinbeck. He lived a modest childhood, as his father held multiple jobs in order to support the family. For a short time Steinbeck attended Stanford University, but in 1925 he dropped out to pursue his career as a writer. Later that year he went to New York to find inspiration for his first book which he would later name Cup of Gold.
Steinbeck reveals the bitter nature of mankind due to weakness and vulnerability through his use of symbolism, characterization, and imagery.
The author's depiction of man's descent from “higher animals” communicate a valid message as the author relates his ideas using experimentation and accurate past events. Mark Twain persuades the reader in utilizing reliable figures along with proven evidence and thus adding to the validity of his argument. Furthermore, as he points out that information in a visible form, with a clear intent of proving humanities downfall Twain gives multiple accounts of man's collapse from higher order through the use of scientific methods devised by him. As well as captivating an emotional response of the audience over the use of language choices and equitable claims. In fact, his assertion tempts the logic applying rational reasons.
In a world full of many authors, three have outlived most with their amazing style of writing. They are Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, and O. Henry. Although the world has changed greatly in the past 100 years, these authors are still considered excellent. Their unique writing styles have helped them withstand the test of time. Mark Twain used regional dialect, O. Henry used clever wordcraft, and John Steinbeck used social commentary.
John Steinbeck: A Literary Light in the Great Depression " The ancient commission of the writer has not changed. He is charged with exposing our many grievous faults and failures, with dredging up to the light our dark and dangerous dreams for the purpose of improvement"(“John Ernst Steinbeck”). Said by John Steinbeck as he accepted the Nobel Prize for Literature, this quote illustrates perfectly the goals and ideals Steinbeck held himself to in his writing. Steinbeck pursued above all to give the common folk of the Great Depression a voice; an endeavor that grants him a place with the great writers of America.
By understanding nature, he can understand a human’s true and rightful intentions. An important observation made by Sharon Levy is “Steinbeck was saying that we need to see the complex interconnections in nature” (10). By this she means, every person, animal, and plant is connected. There is the aspect of the circle of life and everything is renewed eventually. Steinbeck’s novel Cannery Row exemplifies the studies of global warming and coastal pollution along the coast of California.
