Melissa Ames and Chris Hedges address the similar theme of political apathy in America, but deviate starkly in their respective audiences, tones, subjects, and methods of delivery. Because the authors possess differing viewpoints about the future of the country, are shaped by distinctive backgrounds and experiences, and have explored various unique concepts, one can detect a great degree of dissimilarity between the works in question. Even so, a thoughtful reader can also grasp quite a few similarities between their articles, “American Psychosis” and “Engaging ‘Apolitical’ Adolescents.”
The articles bear similarity in that they both discuss matters relating to America’s political system. Both works address the apparent disinclination of Americans
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The authors both making sweeping statements about the political nature of the United States, but Ames addresses a more concentrated demographic of American society than Hedges. The latter points the finger at the venal egotism of celebrity culture for entrancing the public into complacency, and at America’s political leaders for orchestrating the fact, but he also places substantial blame on the people at-large for allowing themselves to be captivated by the entertainment industry. Ames discusses an issue in which the Millennial generation stands as the focal point, but she speaks directly to the teachers of these adolescents due to their position of influence. Although today’s youth are proven to possess a spark of political energy through their own volition—displayed through their generation-wide interest in dystopian literature—an environment of learning and in-depth analysis provides the best opportunity for the novels’ underlying calls-to-action to strike a chord with their young …show more content…
Hedges appears outraged at and disappointed in the American people for allowing themselves to be deceived, while Ames believes the evidence confirming Millennials’ political aptitude provides a bright outlook for the future. Ames’ objective is to abdicate the younger generation of the deleterious sentiment projected at them, so she contracts a didactic tone that allows the reader to focus on the content of her words and contemplate the provided information. Hedges furnishes his descant of American society with rich imagery, using dramatically expressive syntax to appear as a prophetic storyteller of the country’s demise. With imperious condemnation he reels rapidly from accusation to accusation, using his assured eloquence to establish a sense of influence over the readers and invoke from them a sense of urgency and panic. He appears to have used this passionate tenacity for lack of any other substance to the article, relying primarily on the authority of pathos to validate his assertions.
Both works provide valuable insight into the political atmosphere of American society, but vary greatly in their intended message, usage of persuasive method, projected audience, and choice of tone. One can see resemblance, however, in the fact that the authors of both articles strive to spark a reaction in their readers and encourage change. In that regard, while Hedges’
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Show MoreThe book Culture Wars? The Myth of a Polarized America by Morris P. Fiorina, Samuel J. Abrams, and Jeremy C. Pope is a persuasive text regarding America and its division on political topics.
The book is divided into three sections. Chapters one through three deftly connects theory and survey data to characterize citizen norms in modern America. Chapters four through seven addresses the ramifications of those changing norms. Chapters eight and nine are a cross-national perspective, focusing on citizenship norms in the United States and abroad, and the similarities across nations.
Bessette, Joseph M., John J. Pitney, and First Jr. American Government And Politics, Deliberation, Democracy, And Citizenship No Seperate Policy Chapters Editions. Boston: Wadsworth Pub Co, 2010. 429. Print.
Americans have embraced debate since before we were a country. The idea that we would provide reasoned support for any position that we took is what made us different from the English king. Our love of debate came from the old country, and embedded itself in our culture as a defining value. Thus, it should not come as a surprise that the affinity for debate is still strong, and finds itself as a regular feature of the mainstream media. However, if Deborah Tannen of the New York Times is correct, our understanding of what it means to argue may be very different from what it once was; a “culture of critique” has developed within our media, and it relies on the exclusive opposition of two conflicting positions (Tannen). In her 1994 editorial, titled “The Triumph of the Yell”, Tannen claims that journalists, politicians and academics treat public discourse as an argument. Furthermore, she attempts to persuade her readers that this posturing of argument as a conflict leads to a battle, not a debate, and that we would be able to communicate the truth if this culture were not interfering. This paper will discuss the rhetorical strategies that Tannen utilizes, outline the support given in her editorial, and why her argument is less convincing than it should be.
Dye, Thomas R., L. Tucker Gibson, Jr., and Clay Robison. Politics in America. Ninth ed. Vol. 2. New York, NY: Longman, 2011. 337. Print.
Piven, Frances Fox and Richard A. Cloward. Why Americans Don't Vote. New York: Pantheon, 1989.
Many people wonder why teenagers enjoy dystopian movies. The reason why is because it shows a different life, a world of lies, and we wonder what it would be like to be controlled, and only have to know certain things. Just like the movie “The Giver” and the book “Anthem”. Both of these are based on a dystopian lifestyle. “Anthem” and “The Giver” are dystopian stories that have many things in common.
Cassino, Dan, and Yasemin Besen-Cassino. Consuming Politics: Jon Stewart, Branding, and the Youth Vote in America. Madison [N.J.: Fairleigh Dickinson UP, 2009. Print.
In this essay, I posit that despite the harsh clashes between liberalism and republicanism, both elements play important roles in American politics, and their marriage has given birth to a unique America. I will begin by giving brief explanations about liberalism and republicanism, before showing how their dynamic interaction has given rise to American exceptionalism. It is also important to note that the slight emphasis on liberalism more than republicanism that is also evident in the US Constitution.
Schmidt, Shelley, and Bardes. American Politics and Government Today. Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1999, pgs. 325-327.
Within the article Caring Democracy: Markets, Equality, and Justice, the author Joan Tronto highlights and critically examines the United States and its democratic lifestyle after the attacks on 9/11 on the World Trade Center and Pentagon and the events after the 2008 financial crisis. Since these events the United States the average citizen is now facing to many demands for them too adequately for their children and themselves. During a set of recent elections examined by Joan Tronto she found that public involvement was at an all-time low by the citizens of the United States. Although political involvement should support us to care more about our surrounds and society but it does not. However, the American democratic process has become more
Miller, Zeke J. "The Politics of the Millennial Generation." 9 May 2013. Time.com. 25 November 2013 .
Dystopian, a relatable concept for teens? In these ways, these two concepts of literature and film, are similar to teens. In what ways need to be found out. Dystopian literature and films such as the novel Anthem by Ayn Rand and the film The Giver inspired by Lois Lowry directed by Phillip Noyce. Relating to Anthem novel and The Giver film in this literature(document). Dystopian stories are like a big thriller that are engaging like in Anthem because of the pressure of society that is shown, in The Giver teens relate to how they have to follow the rules of covering certain happenings to the public.
There’s a threatening issue in today’s United States, in which many are either concerned or have, even worse, given up hope and all care on the matter. It is evident in classrooms, on sidewalks, and especially in government buildings, and it is simply a stalemate within politics. We seemed to have veered off the path of addressing problems and providing improvements in our government and daily lives, and instead began to focus on making the opposing views seem evil and unamerican. For example, the healthcare bill, which was supposed to be figured out, or at least at some level of agreement, has been stalled, and instead of coming to any compromise, politicians have been bashing the ideas of the opposing parties. The country is getting tired
Pop culture is a reflection of social change, not a cause of social change” (John Podhoretz). It encompasses the advertisements we see on T.V, the clothes we wear, the music we listen too, and it’s the reason Leonardo DiCaprio has not won an Oscar yet. It defines and dictates the desires and fears of the mainstream members of society; and it is so ingrained into our lives that it has become as natural as breathing. Moreover, adults never even bat an eyelash at all the pop culture and advertising that surrounds them since it has become just another part of everyday life. Pop culture is still somewhat seen as entertainment enjoyed by the lower class members of society; but pop culture standards change over time. A notable example of this is the sixteenth century author, William Shakespeare, since his works were considered pop culture, entertainment that could be enjoyed by everyone, but now they are considered literary classics. While pop culture encompasses most aspects of our lives, its influence is most obvious through each generations reaction to media,