Arjun Agrawal Essays

     December 10, 1950, William Faulkner gave his Nobel prize acceptance speech. World war II had just concluded. During this time, the cold war was going on. People's minds were filled with fear. William is afraid that the fear creeping into young authors were going to affect their writing (to foster negative victimhood sentiments). Faulkner persuades the young authors in his audience to write from their heart by referencing his success on the subject, gives excellent example of writing that comes out of heart, and creating a sense of duty to lead the society out of its despair.      First of all, Faulkner establishes his own credibility through his recognition of the Nobel Prize in literature. This establishes that he is successful and to be trusted. He addresses the young writes in the audience, and gives them a lesson about how to be a true and genuine writer. With this, Faulkner hopes that the young writers trust him and his works, and incorporate hi...

     Elisabeth Woodbridge Morris wrote an essay called, "The Tyranny of Things." In this essay, Morris talks about the want to possess, "things." She talks about how people's desire wanting to possess things, can usually become a problem; when someone gets something, the more they want. She is able to persuade her audience by exploring relatable situation like friendship and how it is overshadowed by things, using examples of diminished travel experiences, and costly time required for upkeep of things.     Firstly, Morris uses relatable situations to appeal to her audience. In the beginning of her speech, she gives a small anecdote about two girls who become friends because they both like "things." This situation is relatable as it is very common. The audience realize these type of relation ships are very shallow and fragile and wear out easily.  When people like friends for who they are, usually, it is much more interesting and everlasting.   ...

     On June 6th, 1966, Robert F. Kennedy gives a speech to the National Union of South African Students. In his speech , Kennedy talks about how the young African people of a western civilization must fight for equality. Kennedy is able to successfully persuade his audience by appealing to western values,  referencing current successes, and opportunity to an almost finished revolution,      First of all, Kennedy tells his audience about the values of western society. He says that being free and liberal is what sets the west apart from other places such as Nazi Germany and Persia. With this, the audience feels glad that they have it a lot better than others.  Then he talks why those values are under threat; there is call for action. He explains how his country being the major flag bearer of the West, has struggled to fight against the huge problem of prejudice and discrimination. Kennedy helps them realize that if they don't work to fight agains...