Ariana Liu - The Perils of Indifference

the Perils of

Indifference

by: Elie wiesel

Presentation by Ariana Liu

Author's purpose

Main Idea

Language usage

Structrual elements

The author's purpose:

Elie wiesel's purpose is to persuade the audience to not be indifferent towards the suffering of others. He does this by discussing that "indifference is the friend of the enemy, for it benefits the aggressor -- never his victim, whose pain is magnified when he or she is forgotten" (Wiesel 6).

The Perils of Indifference is effective because Elie Wiesel successfully integrates structure, language, and main idea into his speech.

effective?

Main Idea

A main idea that Wiesel outlines in his speech is indifference. Wiesel defines indifference as "no difference" (Wiesel 4). As a survivor of the Holocaust, Wiesel knew better than anyone the dangers of indifference. Wiesel chooses to discuss indifference as his main idea because it allows him to prove that indifference results in greater suffering. He believes that "indifference reduces the Other to an abstraction " (Wiesel 5). In the context of the speech, abstraction means to reduce or remove the humanity of the victim(s), heightening their suffering. With indifference as the focal point of his speech, he is able to lead his listeners to realize that being indifferent is no different than being the aggressor. Those who are indifferent are a part of the problem as well.

Language usage

Connotative Words / Sensory Phrases

Elie Wiesel uses sensory phrases and connotative words to induce an emotional response in his audience. Wiesel discusses the events of 54 years ago, when "He was finally free, but there was no joy in his heart. He thought there never would be again" (Wiesel 1). Wiesel's recounting of his tragic past may result in audience members to feel pity or even uncomfortable as a result of their grief and regret. Wiesel discusses many tragic events throughout history such as, "two World Wars, countless civil wars, the senseless chain of assassinations... bloodbath in Cambodia and Algeria, India and... the inhumanity in the gulag and the tragedy of Hiroshima" (Wiesel 3). His choice of words with negative connotation such as senseless, inhumanity, and tragedy allows him to evoke feelings of sadness or guilt in listeners. Wiesel sets up audience member to feel upset or uncomfortable so that ultimately, they question themselves in their choice to be indifferent or change their perspective.

Structure

Elie Wiesel's use of important information and comparisons in his structure allows him to highlight his purpose and allows him provide the foundation for his argument against indifference. What is indifference from Elie Wiesel's perspective? This is all explained in part of his speech, when he defines indifference as "no difference" (Wiesel 4). This simple piece of important information allows audience members to comphrehend the remaining portion of his speech. Throughout the remainder of his speech, he discusses indifference and how it affects people. Wiesel does this by comparing indifference to being "[exiled] from human memory. And in denying their humanity, we betray our own" (Wiesel 6). By comparing indifference to exile, a word used negatively, Wiesel allows listeners to see somthing familar in a new light. Those who previously believed that indifference was a neutral standpoint, will end up questioning themselves about their beliefs.

Are the structural elements used in "the Perils of Indifference" effective?

1. Main Idea: Wiesel's use of main idea effectively highlights his overall purpose by defining and explaining the counsequences of indifference. 2. Language Usage: By using sensory phrases and connotative words, Wiesel explains the impact indifference had on him and other's throughout history by inducing painful emotions amongst audience members. 3. Structure: By using important information and comparisons, Wiesel compares indifference with exile, a negative word.

Conclusion

Elie Wiesel effectively persuades audience members to avoid indifference through his speech "The Perils of Indifference". Wiesel's usage of structural elements allows his speech to be convincing, he moves his audience through emotion and logic. In his speech, main idea, language use, and structure are all used to develop a persuasive speech that impacts the audience. Ultimately, Elie Wiesel is able to effectively persuade his audience that they should not be indifferent to the suffering of others.