Fourth of july
Planning:
Essay:
Within this narrative excerpt entitled "Fourth of July," Audre Lorde addresses those blind to racial discrimination while discussing a summer vacation to Washington D.C., as she shifts from the extensive preparations to how disappointing the trip turned out to be in order to explain how her young, "vulnerable eyes... [became] exposed to the summer brightness" so that the irony of American ideals are exposed.
Lorde demonstrates how her parents' ignorance of the racist society eventually rips her innocence away from her in order to portray how anti-American, America is. Her word choice of "never mentioned," "ignored," and "deprived of attention" (5) is how Lorde describes her parents’ nonchalant actions toward discrimination. Her parents never explicitly give racism its name within the household but cover it up with excuses that seem better to the children. Rather than the parents revolving their family's lives around this injustice that they simply can't change, they give the children the run around and ignore the truth. Their children are young so, as any loving parent would do, they shelter them from reality. Their goal is to protect Lorde and her sisters but it eventually hurts the girls worse, especially Lorde, because of how this truth harshly impacts her in the long run. While covering up the truth of racism, Lorde's use of abundant imagery as she describes the large amount of food including "slices of bread and butter and green pepper and carrot sticks" (4). As the reader advances through paragraph four, they can vividly picture every piece of food; how it is wrapped and what it looks like. The parents pack sweets and delicacies because they are overcompensating for the family cannot indulge in the luxuries the dining car has to offer due to the segregation between blacks and whites. The polysynthetic "and" adds to the overwhelming amount of food. This extraordinary supply distracts the children from the real reason they are packing so much. It was not because the dining cars cost too much but for the fact that blacks were simply not allowed in.
Lorde illustrates how vulnerable she felt within the nation’s capital in order to explain how her childhood was raped by racism in the place that is supposed to be the symbol of freedom and equality. She repeatedly "squint[s]... up... in silent agony" (9) as her and her family tours Washington D.C. With Lorde continually looking up, the reader notices that she feels extremely small compared to the monuments. She is only a young child who is insignificant compared to the new reality she begins to experience. As she "squints," she shields her eyes from the bright sunlight. Her eyes are not protected from the sun which represents how defenseless she was against the truth which was recently revealed to her. Now that Lorde's in D.C., she is not hiding behind a wall of secrets that her parents put up for her but rather she is by herself, exposed to the harsh reality. She finds this truth with "silent agony" as her situation becomes unbearable. As her knowledge of reality shifts "suddenly... [and] all at the same time, loud and clear" (7) she finally comes to the realization of racism. This truth hits her like a train as she lashes out because she doesn't completely understand the concept. Lorde understands why her parents took the measures they did when they packed extra food, rode milk trains, and slept in a cheap, back-street hotels but she doesn't comprehend why no one is taking steps to change the way things are. At the time, Lorde was at her weakest, most vulnerable time in her life.
If Audre Lorde was unable to share her personal experience with others, society, especially white Americans, would not be able to understand how discrimination and racism affects not only African-American adults but also their children. Instances such as these need to be shared with the public so that this disgraceful period in American history will not be repeated in future generations.
Within this narrative excerpt entitled "Fourth of July," Audre Lorde addresses those blind to racial discrimination while discussing a summer vacation to Washington D.C., as she shifts from the extensive preparations to how disappointing the trip turned out to be in order to explain how her young, "vulnerable eyes... [became] exposed to the summer brightness" so that the irony of American ideals are exposed.
Lorde demonstrates how her parents' ignorance of the racist society eventually rips her innocence away from her in order to portray how anti-American, America is. Her word choice of "never mentioned," "ignored," and "deprived of attention" (5) is how Lorde describes her parents’ nonchalant actions toward discrimination. Her parents never explicitly give racism its name within the household but cover it up with excuses that seem better to the children. Rather than the parents revolving their family's lives around this injustice that they simply can't change, they give the children the run around and ignore the truth. Their children are young so, as any loving parent would do, they shelter them from reality. Their goal is to protect Lorde and her sisters but it eventually hurts the girls worse, especially Lorde, because of how this truth harshly impacts her in the long run. While covering up the truth of racism, Lorde's use of abundant imagery as she describes the large amount of food including "slices of bread and butter and green pepper and carrot sticks" (4). As the reader advances through paragraph four, they can vividly picture every piece of food; how it is wrapped and what it looks like. The parents pack sweets and delicacies because they are overcompensating for the family cannot indulge in the luxuries the dining car has to offer due to the segregation between blacks and whites. The polysynthetic "and" adds to the overwhelming amount of food. This extraordinary supply distracts the children from the real reason they are packing so much. It was not because the dining cars cost too much but for the fact that blacks were simply not allowed in.
Lorde illustrates how vulnerable she felt within the nation’s capital in order to explain how her childhood was raped by racism in the place that is supposed to be the symbol of freedom and equality. She repeatedly "squint[s]... up... in silent agony" (9) as her and her family tours Washington D.C. With Lorde continually looking up, the reader notices that she feels extremely small compared to the monuments. She is only a young child who is insignificant compared to the new reality she begins to experience. As she "squints," she shields her eyes from the bright sunlight. Her eyes are not protected from the sun which represents how defenseless she was against the truth which was recently revealed to her. Now that Lorde's in D.C., she is not hiding behind a wall of secrets that her parents put up for her but rather she is by herself, exposed to the harsh reality. She finds this truth with "silent agony" as her situation becomes unbearable. As her knowledge of reality shifts "suddenly... [and] all at the same time, loud and clear" (7) she finally comes to the realization of racism. This truth hits her like a train as she lashes out because she doesn't completely understand the concept. Lorde understands why her parents took the measures they did when they packed extra food, rode milk trains, and slept in a cheap, back-street hotels but she doesn't comprehend why no one is taking steps to change the way things are. At the time, Lorde was at her weakest, most vulnerable time in her life.
If Audre Lorde was unable to share her personal experience with others, society, especially white Americans, would not be able to understand how discrimination and racism affects not only African-American adults but also their children. Instances such as these need to be shared with the public so that this disgraceful period in American history will not be repeated in future generations.
JOhN dOWNE
Essay:
Within this persuasive passage, John Downe write to his wife to convince her to emigrate to the U.S. as he shifts from the plentifulness of the country to playing upon her emotions so the his wife will realize that he U.S. is a land full of beneficial opportunities for his family.
John Downe drastically plays upon his wife's emotions in order to get her to fully comprehend what she needs to do. With the typographical emphasis of "I would rather cross the Atlantic ten times than hear my children cry for victuals," is extremely important for he incorporates his children into his argument. Downe knows that taking his stand in this way he will pull on his wife's heartstrings forcing her to realize that she needs to move in order for her children to live and prosper. He strives to make her feel guilty if she decides not to move because he makes it seems as if his children won't survive if they don't take this opportunity for a better life. He closes his letter with "give the little ones a kiss for me" showing that he deeply cares for his children. This close emplifies his love and endearment that he has for his family. Downe truly believes that this move would be the greatest benefit his family would ever reap. This simple sentence is Downe's final statement;he doesn't want to exhaust his argument, he made his point and now it was completely up to her to take action. He told his wife to give the children love and affection for him as if there was a possibility that he might not see them ever again.
Within this persuasive passage, John Downe write to his wife to convince her to emigrate to the U.S. as he shifts from the plentifulness of the country to playing upon her emotions so the his wife will realize that he U.S. is a land full of beneficial opportunities for his family.
John Downe drastically plays upon his wife's emotions in order to get her to fully comprehend what she needs to do. With the typographical emphasis of "I would rather cross the Atlantic ten times than hear my children cry for victuals," is extremely important for he incorporates his children into his argument. Downe knows that taking his stand in this way he will pull on his wife's heartstrings forcing her to realize that she needs to move in order for her children to live and prosper. He strives to make her feel guilty if she decides not to move because he makes it seems as if his children won't survive if they don't take this opportunity for a better life. He closes his letter with "give the little ones a kiss for me" showing that he deeply cares for his children. This close emplifies his love and endearment that he has for his family. Downe truly believes that this move would be the greatest benefit his family would ever reap. This simple sentence is Downe's final statement;he doesn't want to exhaust his argument, he made his point and now it was completely up to her to take action. He told his wife to give the children love and affection for him as if there was a possibility that he might not see them ever again.