When the word "resistance" comes into mind, what does one think of? Willpower? Defiance?Resistance can be portrayed however the beholder chooses to go about it. In Scott's powerful text, Weapons of the Weak, he may beg to differ. He introduces readers to the everyday struggles and benefits of resistance. The main subjects of his study are the oppressed population of the society, such as peasants and slaves. The reason being is, in Scott's eyes these groups of people rebel against the rest of society using resistance. “The local elite nearly always has its own way in the economic life of the village. Given its sway over resources, it can also control public ritual life — that is, the ‘onstage’ conduct of most of the poor in the community. Only ‘backstage,’ where gossip, tales, slander, and anonymous sabotage mocks and negates the public ritual order, does elite control fall away” (pg27). He emphasizes that these people go about these "everyday forms of resistance" yet hit extremes and rebel to strive for the power they crave. As he …show more content…
He goes about explaining that everyday resistance could also be looked at as defiance; stating that peasant rebellions don't always have to result in a revolt to prove their point. Forms of every day resistance speak out just as much as large acts. Some may look at these as petty, but Scott sees these acts to be just as powerful. "Foot dragging, slandering, sabotage, and arson."(pg 29). He goes on to explain that these actions may not have as much impact as revolts, yet they are just as symbolic. On the other hand, Scott gives examples of larger aspects of resistance. He talks about squandering and the peasants coming together to riot and destruct. Scott talks about how resistance, whether it be performed in small or large acts, all aim toward the main goal of proving a point. He is correct in this point, yet contradicts himself quite
(Hollitz, 70). They risk entirely everything to demonstrate to the British government that they’ll to anything in regard to free themselves from their ruling, but will go to the extreme to make a statement of what should be
While the government will attempt to control you, and generate all the decisions they think are right, the people need to stand against them, for the reason that they need to think for themselves and speak up in order for them to have their freedom. Each speaker challenges the listeners to think for themselves instead of letting the government think for them. However, each speaker uses different concepts on how to convince the people to genuinely think for themselves. Furthermore, they show the audience on how to resist the government. Thoreau and Gandhi had similar ways on why and how to resist the government.
2. How does classifying the three types of resistance to oppression help him to develop his thesis?
The frequency of popular protest and rebellion in Early Modern England offers an insight into the nature of the social relations people maintained. P. Clark refers to the repetition of rebellion and popular protest as being ‘a recurrent phenomenon’ which spread throughout Europe in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth century. This implies that people thought there was a necessary cause to act in such a way, believing that change was possible to address their grievances. Additionally, Andy Wood further emphasises the ideology of the repetitive nature of popular protest and rebellion through the existence of a ‘shared tradition of popular protest’. This implies that there was a continuation in the motivations of those who chose to rebel. Many of the
middle of paper ... ... You don’t have a revolution in which you love your enemy, and you don’t have a revolution in which you are begging the system of exploitation to integrate you into it. Revolutions overturn the systems. Revolutions destroy the systems.”
Last but not least, Chavez uses an oxymoron in line 45. He says, “We advocate militant nonviolence as our means of achieving justice for our people, but we are not blind to the feelings of frustration, impatience and anger which seeth inside every worker.” In the sentence provided, he also uses a strong word choice and personification to give you a mental picture of the madness that laces every worker’s insides. Cesar Chavez once said, “In some cases nonviolence requires more militancy than violence.”
The oppression and invasion of the conquerors arouse, instead of crush, the desire of the defeated for freedom. These people, who have lived with the idea of a free rule of democracy, refuse to be chained down under the oppressive rule of the conquerors. It is for this reason that they strike back at their invaders. As said by Mayor Orden to Colonel Lanser of the aggressors, “ ‘The people don’t like to be conquered, sir, and so they will not be. Free men cannot start a war, but once it is started, they can fight on in defeat.
disobedience takes place the weak stands against the strong and do not allow people of authority to force rules, or
Cesar Chavez in an excerpt from an article published in the magazine of a religious organization asserted that nonviolence is a more effective method of resistance than violence. Chavez supports his assertion by introducing a poignant juxtaposition of violence and peaceful methods, then he employs an effectual allusion to a past peaceful civil rights leader, and finally he presents a compelling logical appeal to the audience about the consequences of violent retaliation. The author’s purpose is to persuade the audience to protest injustice through peaceful methods in order to avoid physical harm and gain public support. The author utilizes an urgent tone for all of society, specifically members of the farm worker’s movement.
Resistance is rife throughout which is appealing to the reader, implying that even under the severity of such reality, the human spirit will fight for equality or at least fairness.
Mob violence was a persuasive feature of the Revolutionary War in every port city, particularly Boston. These mobs, which were often described as motley crews, were central to protests and ultimately played a dominant role in significant events leading up to the American Revolution. Throughout the years, leading up to the American Revolution, many Americans were growing tired of British rule and thus begun to want to break free from Britain and earn their own independence. Some of these Americans, out of anger, madness, and in defense of their rights, began terrorizing towns, sometimes even to the point of paralysis highlighting grievances and concerns that the common man couldn’t say with mere words. These groups would then be absorbed into a greater organization called the Sons of Liberty. With the use of violence and political strategy , these radicals defending their rights, struck terror into anyone opposing them but also carried out communal objectives ultimately pushing for change which was a central theme for the American Revolution. It will be proved that these men through their actions not only were the driving force behind resistance but also proved to be the men who steered America toward revolution.
By using these short and abrupt sentences he catches attention, showing his passion toward the idea of nonviolence. Chavez ends with a rhetorical question: “who gets killed in the case of violent revolution?” In a hypophore, he answers “the poor, the workers, the people,” calling out the loss of violence. He says the everyday people and sometimes bystanders get affected, pointing out that no one wins is violent, there is only loss. Chavez successfully argues a very effective argument for nonviolent resistance through multiple uses of rhetorical devices.
Chenoweth, Erica, and Maria J. Stephan. 2011. Why Civil Resistance Works : The Strategic Logic of
By not partaking in social customs or following cultural norms, he expresses revolt.... ... middle of paper ... ... And if we could exemplify the absurd characteristics: revolt, freedom, and pleasure in our lives, we could live life more fully: By revolting against tomorrow, we can come to terms with the present moment.
----- "Civil Disobedience" from A World of Ideas - Essential Readings for College Readers, Lee A. Jacobus, Bedford Books, 1998, 1849(123 -146)