When doing a rhetorical analysis on something, as stated in "Compose, Design, Advocate," one must first ask thyself "What is your initial sense of the text's purpse, audience, and context? That is, what do you think of its maker's statement of purpose is?"(316). This means that one of the first things a person must do upon performing a rhetorical analysis is think of the big picture, and question what the original purpose of the object was. Upon coming up with this "hypothesis" of inferred purpose, as said on the website of the writing center from Texas A&M University, one must go about testing one's hypothesis of purpose by conducting an "Artistic" or "Inartistic Proof" where one "encompasses the appeals [pathetic, ethical, and logical], canons . . . " While doing these proofs, aside from using appeals and canons, one must keep in mind certain questions like "What is the historical occasion that would give rise to the composition of this text?", "Who make up the audience?", and "Does the message/speech/text succeed in fulfilling the author's or speaker's intentions?" (Burton, BYU). I'll provide an example relating to popular hobby and a corresponding movie.
Chess is my favorite game of all time. There are many reasons for this, but I believe there is a reason it has survived for more than 1500 years; it is a fun, yet intense game. Just like any other game or sport, there are famous names affiliated with chess. One of these is the name, "Bobby Fischer." Born in America, Bobby Fischer became the Muhammed Ali of chess during the 20th century. In the new theatrical release (directed by Edward Zwick and starring Tobey Maguire) "Pawn Sacrifice", the purpose is to inform viewers about the true story and life of Bobby Fischer and is shown by displaying Bobby's initial sense of passion and nationalism affiliated with the game that later turns into a career that derails his life.
To begin, the first point to keep in mind is the purpose. As mentioned above, the purpose of this movie is to inform viewers of the life of Bobby Fischer. Also, one should brush up on some of the historical context pertaining to the film. This movie takes place during the cold war. At this time, chess was considered one way that rival countries could prove their superiority. For America, the heavyweight boxing champ of chess that fought all of its matches was Bobby Fischer. The cold war was a dark, and scary time in global history; this and the intensity affiliated with the game of chess and some aspects of Bobby's life bleed into the movie. This feeling of intensity can first be heard at the very beginning of the trailer with the dissonant, minor sounding music being played (0:14) and when the narrator describes the game of chess as "a rabbit hole" (0:17). However, after this part of the trailer ends, it picks up a lighter atmosphere and tone with new, lively swing music being played and demonstrating a young Bobby and his love and prodigal style of chess (0:31). The young chess god later states on an interview, "I want to play the Russians; they're the best in the world and I want to beat them all" (0:49). However, rather quickly, this sense of pride and love for the game quickly takes a 180 degree turn south and nosedives into a sense of despair, paranoia, and darkness. This is seen when a priest says "Bobby has problems" supported by intense, dreadful music (1:32). At 1:37, Bobby is seen walking through a crowd of people with a bag over his head; the stress of the game for the standing of american superiority is starting to take its visible toll on Bobby. His delusional thinking is even more outstanding at 1:54 when he says "They're all out to screw me! The Russians, the jews!" This sense of intensity that is building through the whole trailer climaxes when somebody says "Bobby won't crack, he'll explode" (2:22). The trailer then proceeds to end on a dramatic tone playing to the viewer's pathetic appeal making the viewer want to see the movie.
Being a huge fan of the game, I am biased because upon hearing this movie coming out (and with an actor like Tobey Maguire) I was already planning on seeing it, but this trailer wants to make me see it even more. This trailer not only reaches out to chess fans though, it reaches to a larger audience. From a logical appeal, it has to do so in order for it to make enough profit but aside from this, the overall theme of this movie appeals to more than just chess fans, but anybody with a sense of competition. It carries very much an underdog storyline to it and if anybody is a fan of such a storyline, they will desire to see this movie. The only way the last question of "Does the message/speech/text succeed in fulfilling the author's or speaker's intentions?"can be answered is by paying some money to see a fantastic movie.
Burton, Gideon. "Basic Questions for Rhetorical Analysis." Basic Questions for Rhetorical Analysis. BYU. Web. 19 Sept. 2015.
"Pawn Sacrifice." IMDb. IMDb.com, 18 Sept. 2015. Web. 18 Sept. 2015.
"University Writing Center - Rhetorical Analysis." University Writing Center - Rhetorical Analysis. Texas A&M University, n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2015. <http://writingcenter.tamu.edu/Students/Handouts-Guides/Guides-(What-Are-You-Writing-)/Academic-Writing/Analysis/Rhetorical-Analysis>.
Wysocki, Anne Frances, and Dennis A. Lynch. Compose, Design, Advocate: A Rhetoric for Integrating Written, Visual, and Oral Communication. New York: Longman, 2007. Print.
Hey Matt, I thought that you raised some good points in your post. However, I feel that you analyzed you analyzed Bobby's life rather then the author's rhetorical techniques in the paper. While there was some analysis I feel that you could have gone deeper with how the filmmakers portrayed Bobby and what techniques they used to persuade the audience.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the insight, I can see why you said that. I was trying to show how the trailer portrayed his life and the thematic elements the trailer used. But I'll take what you said in mind, thanks!
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