TOW #13 - Visual Text on the Second Great Awakening

     This portrait was done by an anonymous English artist in 1839 in water color. If examined carefully, this image portrayed many unique things such as a relaxed atmosphere, outdoor location, and mixed gender congregation. Through the artist's use of color and historical accuracy, the artist is able to capture the essence of a camp meeting during the time period of great religious revival in America: the Second Great Awakening.

     The time period is just around the time of the Industrial Revolution, hinting the influence of economic revolution with that of social revolution. In past years, religion had harsh rigid rules that the young people did not like. Due to the climatic changes in economics, many people abandoned this strict interpretation, or religion as a whole. Firm believers became frightened by this and ultimately began the movement for a religious revival. The most notable change in the religion was the image of god as a kind loving father, rather than a strict teacher. 

    This picture is of a North Carolina camp meeting wear traveling priests gave sermons. Many people are gathered, and what is unique to to this mass meeting is that it is outdoors. Using a variety of colors allows for this atmosphere, and further strengthens the significance and beauty of being connected with nature. The relaxed atmosphere went along with the new preaching that human suffering is not required to be let into Heaven. By portraying many females within the crowd, the significance of women in religious sermons can be understood. In actuality, during this time period a vast majority of believers were females.

     Within feet of the crowd are planks, which were referred to as "anxious benches." It is on these crude seats that people confessed their sins in front of a crowd. Men and women would mourn for the poor individual, but also cheer, for their are cleansing themselves of their sins. The historical accuracy of this painting is what has allowed it to be a popular piece of art, even in the 21st century. 

TOW #12 - IRB Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

This week I continued my reading of Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. In the first half of the book, Gladwell elaborates upon his theories behind "the power of thinking without thinking." Many people before Gladwell had thought about the intricate concepts behind quick-judgments and brash decisions. To gather credible information, Gladwell went to go and visit people for field research. Anecdotes and expert testimonials help to establish his credible, hence persuading his readers to buy into his theories.
Gladwell begins with telling a story about the Getty Museum purchasing a supposedly ancient Greek sculpture, despite being warned that it may be a copy. Many experts advised against this brash decision, yet the Getty Museum put their hopes up and took a bet. Gladwell uses this story to explain how it was not logic that led to quick decisions, but rather "an instinctive sense." All the Getty Museum saw was an old looking sculpture, but one man was able to see in an instant its great value. Gladwell's use of this anecdote allows him to convey the importance of instinct behind decision-making. He also uses this to suggest that not all acts are committed based upon logic, but rather a gut-feeling. " 
     In addition to anecdotes, Gladwell utilizes expert testimonials on establishing his credibility to convey and strengthen his argument: that decision-making is done through a complex process. IN one section, Gladwell discusses about a young couple who came to the University of Washington to be analyzed. John Gottman, a psychologist, recorded their conversations about their dog to determine how long they would be married. John Gottman produced astounding results, discovering that "with a jaw-breaking 90% accuracy" he was able to predict that "the couple would fail to remain married after 15 years." Gladwell's use of expert testimonials is not only engaging to the reader, but also very humorous. Gladwell is able to further convey the importance of past experiences in the process of decision-making, and how that in turn makes behavior predictable.
     Using anecdotes and expert testimonials, Malcolm Gladwell effectively argues the significance of instinct and past experiences behind making decisions. By engaging the audience and establishing his credibility through referencing experts, Gladwell persuades the reader of the complex nature of decision-making. Although I am still in the beginning sections of the book, I have learned a lot about psychology; more specifically, the reasoning behind making decisions. I truly believe that Gladwell is an effective writer in teaching his audience about complex ideas in an easily comprehensible way. 

TOW #11 - Rhetorical Text "Ain't I a Woman?"

By Sojourner Truth, December 1851

  During the mid 1800's, the abolitionist and suffragette movement was just beginning rise. Growing up through racial and gender inequality, Sojourner Truth grew up in firm belief of equal rights for women. In an 1851 Women's Convention in Akron, Ohio, she argues for a much-needed call for action against gender inequality through her language and use of repetition, so that women can finally be granted their right to vote.

    Truth's tone and diction allows her to further engage and create a deeper level of connection with her audience. She begins her speech by informally addressing her audience with "Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of the kilter." Truth does not pull the typical intelligent and smooth tone with his audience, as many political figures do. She instead directly addresses the audience in a familiar way, making the reader feel compelled to answer as she speaks right to them. Throughout her speech, Truth refrains from using an extensive vocabulary; although, she may just have never learned them. Nevertheless, having an easily comprehensive speech expands her audience, for many people during this time were not excelling literates. By speaking like a common person, she connects with the common people, further strengthening her bond with the audience. brother plight now becomes their common plight, and this newly established connection between reader and writer will help muster the support for fighting gender inequality.

    In addition to her language, repetition of a particular phase allows Truth to emphasize her purpose and draw sentiments from the reader. Truth makes a valid point female stereotypes of the time when she points out that despite nobody and ever helping her into carriages, "Ain't [she] a woman?" She can "eat as much as a man...and bear the lash as well! And ain't [she] a woman?" Truth behaves and possesses the strength that is often accredited to men, and yet she is not given the same rights as men. She works just as hard and has fought just as hard as men, but because she is a woman she is not granted equality. Because the phrase is constantly repeated throughout her speech, it remains in the thought of the reader to mull and take action on. Her cry makes the reader pause and consider the double standards of female stereotypes. The readers will grow empathetic to other women whose efforts will never be recognized. Their efforts appear vain when no matter how much effort they put in, they will only be seen as a woman desperately cry out "Ain't I a woman?"

    In combatting the issues of female equality of the 1800's, Sojourner Truth argues for the rights of women in hopes of persuading her audience to act upon her words. She develops this argument with her vivid language and repetition of the phrase "ain't I a woman?," effectively engaging the audience's sentiments and making a convincing point about the rights of women. If men allow for the women to take upon the rightful places in society and the freedom that comes with it, these women will surely "get it [the world] right side up again!"