Question

What is the main argument (apart from assertion that humans wander in search of food) in London’s “The Human Drift”? Cite textual examples to support your answerType your response in the box.

Read the following excerpts and consider the use of explicit and implicit rhetoric in these two excerpts. In a one-to-two paragraph response, evaluate the use and effectiveness of explicit and implicit discourse in these excerpts. In your opinion, which of these two excerpts conveys the author’s point of view more effectively to the reader? Can you identify examples of implicit and explicit claims? Cite evidence from the text to support your response.

This innocent country set you down in a ghetto in which, in fact, it intended that you should perish. Let me spell out precisely what I mean by that, for the heart of the matter is here, and the root of my dispute with my country. You were born where you were born and faced the future that you faced because you were black and for no other reason. . . . You were not expected to aspire to excellence: you were expected to make peace with mediocrity.
(from "My Dungeon Shook" by James Baldwin)

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon of hope to millions of slaves, who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity. But one hundred years later, the colored America is still not free. One hundred years later, the life of the colored American is still sadly crippled by the manacle of segregation and the chains of discrimination.
(from the "I Have a Dream" speech by Martin Luther King Jr.)

Answer 1

Explanation: In both excerpts, the main argument revolves around the injustice and discrimination faced by African Americans in the United States. In James Baldwin's "My Dungeon Shook," he explicitly addresses the fact that African Americans were deliberately placed in ghettos with the intention of their demise. He points out that their circumstances were determined solely by their race, leading to a lack of opportunities and the expectation of mediocrity.

In Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, the main argument is implicit but powerfully conveyed through vivid imagery and emotion. He uses the historical reference to the Emancipation Proclamation to highlight the promise of freedom and hope for millions of slaves. However, he goes on to implicitly suggest that the promise of freedom has not been fully realized, as African Americans still face segregation and discrimination a hundred years later.

Both authors effectively use explicit and implicit rhetoric to convey their messages. Baldwin explicitly lays out the discrimination faced by African Americans, leaving no room for misinterpretation. On the other hand, King employs implicit rhetoric to evoke a sense of empathy and urgency in the reader or listener. He paints a vivid picture of the struggle for freedom and justice, making it emotionally compelling.

In terms of effectiveness, it is subjective and depends on the reader's perspective. Baldwin's explicit approach leaves no room for ambiguity and makes a strong and straightforward argument. King's implicit rhetoric, with its powerful use of metaphors and emotional appeal, can resonate deeply with the reader and inspire them to take action.

Examples of explicit claims can be found in Baldwin's excerpt, such as "You were born where you were born and faced the future that you faced because you were black and for no other reason." This statement directly addresses the discrimination faced by African Americans based on their race.

In King's speech, an example of an implicit claim is the metaphorical language he uses to describe the struggle for freedom, such as "seared in the flames of withering injustice" and "manacle of segregation and chains of discrimination." These metaphors implicitly convey the harsh reality of racial discrimination and inequality.

In conclusion, both excerpts effectively convey the injustice and discrimination faced by African Americans, but they do so through different rhetorical approaches. Baldwin's explicit discourse leaves no doubt about the message, while King's implicit rhetoric appeals to emotions and paints a vivid picture of the struggle for freedom. The effectiveness of each approach depends on the reader's individual perspective and response to the different rhetorical styles used by the authors.