Malcolm Gladwell used pathos most effectively in “Small
Change: Why the Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted”. Gladwell pulls examples from
boycotts in the south to show how strong willed activists were in wanting
equality. When anyone mentions activists in the sixties it usually strikes a
range of emotions. Using this example in the beginning and throughout the
reading, sets the tone for the whole thing. In between the passages of
activists in the sixties, Gladwell includes recent activist actions with the
help of the internet, with Iran, Moldova, the P.L.O., the Darfur campaigns, and
the case of the stolen phone, establishing “distinction between traditional
activism and its online variant”. Adding traditional activism Gladwell also
mentions the Red Brigades, Afghanistan, and East Germany. The inclusion of all
these places and events are necessary pathos for him. All these events, old and
recent, spark feelings of pride, fear, happiness, and everything in between.
The wide range of locations are used to make it more relatable and close to
home. The older generations could relate to the older activist movements,
because they themselves could have experienced it or had friends and family involved.
The more recent movements, the “online” ones, were more relatable to me because
I was raised in the age of technology.. Especially the passage of Sameer
Bhatia. The fact that he couldn’t find bone marrow and people from all over the
world sought out to contribute. Without social media, the man could have died.
Having really simple and fast ways of helping can really make a difference in
anyone’s life. This is backed up by all the different campaigns on social media
to help those in need. Ultimately Gladwell uses pathos throughout the reading to prove the revolution will not be tweeted. However, I saw this reading and took it as that even though times are changing and technology is evolving, the revolution will be tweeted and will help in the end. Documenting things online will only help spread awareness and reinforcements to the cause.
I do agree with you. The author had used pathos logos and ethos in all those ways in which was effective. I thought the most effective way was the pathos for me. In the beginning when Gladwell told the story about the diner and the students who protested because they were being served at the restaurant. It gives you a sense of hope and accomplishment. Also a feeling of anger because it's hard to wrap my mind around how people back then could act in such a horrible way. Another example of pathos is simply the way the author makes you feel while you are reading. Logos in this essay would be when the author starts and gets into the main subject the Twitter world and social media. He gives examples of how Twitter was almost a bad thing like when the people of Iraq had used it to there own justice. But Twitter is also useful because it's a chance to connect with people and be friends with others that they might have had the chance to before. Which is bitter sweet because it can do so much harm but at the same time is so useful. This essay goes into detail a lot about race and examples of racist or predujuice stories which also gives you a feeling of hate or along those lines which is pathos again. The author used a type of tone which makes you want to make a change and stand up. And realize that things need to change. I think that what's makes this essay effective when it comes to getting his message across.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with you when you say that the author of this passage called “Small Change” uses pathos. Though he talks about numerous amounts of emotional subjects like racism, civil rights movement, and more, he doesn't show that much of his emotional side. You can’t really tell how he feels about it all. I understand you can believe he is against racism but he doesn’t make this message get caught up in his feelings. I believe the author in this article uses ethos, which means the authors appeal, how you see him, and his beliefs. Obviously he feels strongly about racism since that is what he is discussing and he feels that technology movements was not the answer at that time and isn't the answer now. The first half of the article discusses the civil rights movement but it didn't seem to make me emotional, it was just more informative but gave me a feel for who Galdwell was. The second half you could tell he doesn’ like the use of technology for everything.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog by the way. It made me look at the passage differently. I was so set on it using ethos that when I saw that most people thought it was pathos, I tried to look at it differently.
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