Saturday, August 6, 2011

Another Common Fallacious Argument [2]

  

     Often, I notice that people use euphemisms when making a reference to a serious matter. They do this in order to make their argument sound stronger and create the appearance of a good argument. However this is very fallacious because it is essentially lying or making something sound good when it is not. Some examples of a euphemism used in this way: The lab rat wasn't killed, it was sacrificed. The death of innocent bystanders is collateral damage. Mass murder wasn't genocide, it was ethnic cleansing. and so forth. I do think that euphemisms are great tools to use in writing or sometimes when expressing a concern; however, this is not a good method to utilize when conducting an argument because it can often make you appear weak. Just by using semantics and calling one thing another, one cannot create a deeper or more concrete argument but actually the opposite. When one uses a euphemism the argument becomes dull and perhaps in these examples, atrocious. Again, euphemisms themselves are not fallacious, but often when used in an argument it can make one appear biased.

The Common Fallacious Argument

  

     I came across an Ad Hominem (Argument To The Man) recently when studying common fallacies in arguments. The Ad Hominem argument is attacking the person rather than the person's argument itself. The argument was in response to a woman advocating vegetarianism. The man speaking to her was against vegetarianism and made an attack upon the vegetarian's insecurity, rather than actually retorting to her argument. The fallacious arguer  asked, "How can you argue for vegetarianism when you wear leather shoes ?" and this statement has nothing to do with how vegetarianism can be arguably good for one's body or the environment. Regardless if this vegetarian woman wore leather shoes that does not mean that she is not supporting vegetarianism. Therefore, the one against vegetarianism uses an Ad Hominem argument with the bit about leather shoes because he is attacking the vegetarian's character, honesty, and prying upon an insecurity.

English 102: A Reflection



     It is quite uncanny that our class is already over and that this is my last assignment for our short summer intercession. We studied many works from different backgrounds such Greek drama to the English Renaissance, and in a short time. I am definitely going to remember this class because it is what dragged me back to reading books again. Before this class I had defaulted upon reading literature, unless for classes; however, now I want to read for pure enjoyment and for the betterment of my own vocabulary. I feel that reading more will make me a stronger person, mentally, and allow me to focus on things better. I was also introduced to some famous poetry, and writers, that I had not read yet. Plays like Oedipus and reading Edgar Allan Poe's "Annabel Lee' really left an impact on me. I will forever be permitted to say that I have read such works and I can speak in intellectual discussions regarding them. This introduction to famous literature and other materials helped me to realize that there is a lot of religious symbolism in poetry, plays, and other short stories. I feel better adapted and even equipped to analyze any symbolic readings. All in all, I enjoyed this class very much; indeed, the professor was helpful and I felt a fair grader. While the final and mid-term was a curved grade, I thought that knowing the quotes cut from the reading, on the tests was a bit tough for me to get exactly right. However tough it was at times, I did take much good from his class and I value my experience this semester.

Monday, August 1, 2011

William Shakespeare's "The Tempest" - Lighthearted or a Serious Drama?

     "The Tempest" by William Shakespeare is a more lighthearted, escapist work than a serious drama because the story ends happily, in my opinion. In the beginning there is immediate conflict with a boat wreckage and Prospero telling his sad life story to his daughter Miranda. Indeed, while these factors indicate undertones of a serious drama, I believe that because the story ends on a happy note, that "The Tempest" is a much more lighthearted play. It ended happily as Prospero reclaimed his title as Duke of Milan and his own daughter married the Duke of Naples' son. Not only does Prospero regain his power, but his daughter's new found relationship with Ferdinand (son of the Duke of Naples) expels any animosity between Prospero and the Duke of Naples. While the supernatural regarding spirit-ism and magic can often relay themes of evil or negativity, "The Tempest" delves into the matter quite smoothly and gives a pretty picture of spirit-ism with its own example of Ariel. Ariel is described as kind, wanting to be freed, and benevolent. This description of such a spirit does not give credence to equivocating spirits with devils, but does indicate a more lighthearted view of magic and spirit ism.  Therefore, while the subject matter is heavy in its material and subjects, it is lighthearted because of its presentation of such topics. It is also very escapist in its approach because it is so fantastic. The nature of it is fantasy and therefore this may allow readers to find their own escape upon reading, or watching the play of  Shakespeare's "The Tempest."

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Themes from "A Doll's House"

     Many familiar themes sporadically came to my mind when reading Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll's House." Indeed, much like in the short stories we read earlier this Summer session, including: "Chrysanthemums," "A Rose for Emily," and a "Yellow Wallpaper", a woman is portrayed stuck in a societal rubric that is very patriarchal.  Nora is in a very controlling relationship with her husband Helmer. While he is very loving, not abusive, supports her financially, and shelters her, he is controlling as a father would act to a young daughter. He treats her as she is a child and eventually this culminates into events that end with Nora leaving her controlling husband at the story's end. I would compare Ibsen's "A Doll's House" mostly to "A Yellow Wallpaper" because while the husband is controlling, he is doing it for a number of mildly intentioned reasons. Firstly, in both stories, the husbands wish to help their wives; indeed, both husbands are 'controlling' because this is how they show their love to their wives. The second aspect one should consider is the societal morals that were in play in the cultures that inspired both stories. Woman were very subservient and had a much smaller voice in the household (as well as society) in comparison to today.

Oedipus: A Tragic Figure

     Oedipus is truly a character defined by tragedy. In Sophocles' story, Oedipus is cursed at birth. Jocasta, his mother, reveals that a prophesy was foretold at his birth indicating that Oedipus would murder his own father, Lauis. Oedipus as a King was very stubborn when it came to these prophesies and would simply not believe that he was the reason for the ills that plagued Thebes. Oedipus' stubborn nature was what Aristotle would call Oedipus' tragic flaw. Indeed, Aristotle believed that tragic figures had these flaws that helped define them. Oedipus was so stubborn that he would blame his own brother-in-law for some of the wretched prophesies that were made concerning Oedipus. He would also refrain from believing them until they began to reveal themselves as truth. Oedipus was a tragic figure not only because of his revealed cursed prophesy at birth but also because of his incestial marriage with his own mother. This action was terribly tragic for Oedipus and highlights just how disturbing and perhaps cursed Oedipus had been. Oedipus also soon found out that he was lied to his entire life and that his true father was indeed Laius, a man who he killed just as the initial prophesy unraveled. Oedipus was a tragic figure from the beginning and had a tragic flaw of stubbornness. I suppose one moral that may be taken from such a story may be that human beings should not deal with the supernatural like these characters did through oracles whom were supposedly channeling Gods.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Moral Issue into a Drama


   One problem that I noticed with translating a moral issue into a drama in class was that not everyone in my group seemed to understand the instructions. Iit appeared my group members did not understand what a drama was; indeed, while lectures can become repetitive, students need to do their homework prior to entering the classroom. For example, not everyone understood that each member of the group was to have their own character in the drama. Although we created a story together about Mr. GoodStudent and the distractions that stopped him from studying, not everyone in our group had a part. Thinking about my experience,  there must have been some miscommunication involved. However I did feel that this exercise was a good model to learn different aspects of dram because instead of just a lecture on the material, the students are actually involved in the material that is being  learned. It worked as a drama even though our attempt on borderline amateurish; indeed, all in all our classroom dramas were great ways for us to truly experience what is known as a drama.