Question

Writing Task: How can a speech influence what people think is fair or

unfair? On a separate piece of paper, write a multi-paragraph essay, answer
this question using evidence from both the text and your own knowledge and
experiences.

George Graham Vest (1830-1904) served as U.S. Senator from Missouri
from 1879 to 1903 and became one of the leading orators and debaters of his
time. This delightful speech is from an earlier period in his life when he
practiced law in a small Missouri town. It was given in court while
representing a man who sued another for the killing of his dog. During the
trial, Vest ignored the testimony, and when his turn came to present a
summation to the jury, he made the following speech and won the case.
Gentlemen of the Jury: The best friend a man has in the world may
turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has
reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and
dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name
may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has, he may lose. It
flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man's reputation may
be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone
to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us, may be the first
to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads.
The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish
world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or
treacherous is his dog. A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in
poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where
the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near
his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer. He will lick
the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the
world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince.
When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings, and
reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey
through the heavens.
If fortune drives the master forth, an outcast in the world, friendless and
homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying
him, to guard him against danger, to fight against his enemies. And when the
last scene of all comes, and death takes his master in its embrace and his body is
laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way,
there by the graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws,
his eyes sad, but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death.
George Graham Vest - c. 1855

Answer 1

The speech given by George Graham Vest in the trial of a man who sued another for killing his dog is a powerful and emotional plea that highlights the unbreakable bond between a man and his dog. Vest argues that a dog is the one unselfish friend a man can have in a world full of deceit, treachery and betrayal. The dog is a constant companion that never deserts or proves ungrateful, regardless of the master's wealth or reputation. He is there to guard and protect his master in good times and bad, and even when death claims the master, the dog remains faithful, standing watch over the graveside.

Vest's speech is a powerful example of how language can influence people's perceptions of what is fair or unfair. Through his emotive and vivid descriptions of the relationship between a man and his dog, he elicits strong feelings of empathy and compassion from the jury. By casting the dog as the ultimate symbol of loyalty and devotion, Vest makes a compelling argument that the killing of such a faithful companion is an unjust act that deserves to be punished. The jury, moved by Vest's speech, returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff and awarded him damages for the loss of his dog.

In conclusion, George Graham Vest's speech is a testament to the power of language to shape people's perceptions of fairness and justice. Through his use of vivid descriptions and emotional appeals, Vest was able to convince the jury that the killing of a dog was a wrong that deserved to be punished. This speech is a powerful example of how language can be used to influence people's thoughts and beliefs and is a reminder of the important role that words play in shaping our world.

Answer 2

Answer: In the speech given by George Graham Vest in a court of law, he argues the value of a dog as a man's best friend. Vest describes how a man's dog is the only friend who will always be by his side, through thick and thin, in good times and bad, and never deserts him. He describes the dog's unwavering loyalty, devotion, and protection, even when all other friends have turned their backs. Vest's speech effectively communicates the value and importance of a dog in a person's life, and argues that the killing of a dog is a serious matter that deserves justice. The speech is not just about the killing of a dog but it conveys the importance of the bond between a man and his dog and how it is not just an ordinary bond but a bond of unconditional love and trust. The speech also showcases Vest's exceptional rhetorical skills and his ability to sway the audience with his words. By highlighting the unwavering love and loyalty of a dog, Vest successfully convinces the jury of the importance of compensating the loss of a man's best friend and the killing of a dog is considered as a serious matter.

Step-by-step explanation: