Three Modes Of Persuasion In Paul Bogard's Let There Be Dark

In Paul Bogard’s article, “Let There Be Dark” originally published in the Los Angeles Times on December 21, 2012 he uses various rhetorical devices to persuade his audience that natural darkness should be preserved. In order to begin his article he uses an anecdote in paragraph one, “At my family’s cabin… spreads of stars.” He does this to show that when he was young he experienced the darkness and how time has changed since then. Following his personal story he uses facts on how “Our bodies need darkness… darkness for sleep.” He proves how it’s necessary for us to have darkness rather than light all the time. After stating various more facts Bogard then asks a rhetorical question, ”In a world awash with electric light... his “Starry Night”?”

He wanted to create an impact on humanity by relying on the truth and shining a light in people’s lives, even if they put him on trial. Socrates defended himself and showed the truth by standing up for what he believed in. By doing this, he was put to death. Socrates effectively used the three acts of the mind to rebut the charges made against him at trial. Socrates used the first act of the mind: understanding.

In his article titled, “Let There Be Light”, Paul Bogard tries to convince readers that efforts should be taken to preserve natural darkness. He builds his argument using rhetorical devices such as a personal anecdote and concrete details to help persuade his audience that we should limit our use of artificial light at night. To introduce the reader to his argument, Bogard presents a personal anecdote of how dark the night sky was at his family’s cabin in Minnesota. The use of this anecdote helps establish his position on the argument. He follows it by comparing the night sky in his youth to the night sky of today’s youth.

The cracks on the building convey light,or emotions, escaping into the conscious mind when the Man-Moth is above ground. However, as one reaches the end of the poem the original darkness displayed in the city can be recognized in the eye of the Man-Moth; “...hold a flashlight up to his eye/It’s all dark pupil/an entire night itself…” (Bishop 41-43). Bishops ambiguous words leave an awning perception on how reality has been compacted into the creature’s own pupil once it has failed to reach it’s dreams. In response to this the Man-Moth releases his only possession; a single tear. This tear symbolizes the Man-Moth’s innocence, life, and aspirations (Unterecker).

Summer Reading Assignment Jay Heinrichs in the novel Thank You For Arguing, asserts the reader that every argument has three basic steps: simulating the audience’s emotions, changing the audience’s opinion, and getting the audience to do or choose something. Heinrichs supports his assertion by defining the three types of argument... The Greek Philosopher Aristotle determined the three kinds of argument as forensic argument (which deals with balme and takes place mostly in past tense), demonstrative argument (which deals with values and morals and usually takes place in the present tense), and finally deliberative argument (which deals with choices and decision making and usually takes place in the future tense). The

Foreshadowing and conflict is incorporated throughout the novel I’m Not Scared exploring Michele’s relationship between family and friends to show trust and betrayal. At the beginning of the novel it is seen that Michele has a strong relationship between Pino, his father and Salvatore, who was one of his best friends. However, as he found more about Filippo, Michele realises that he was scarafised for their own benefit.

Loren Eiseley explores the theme of the journey of dark descent in collection of essays called The Night Country, particularly in his essay titled “The Places Below.” Along with this comes the imagery of darkness, of “the night country,” which gives the volume its title and unifying theme. The “night country” into which people descend is described as a series of dark caves, tunnels, labyrinths, tombs, basements, and hidden passages by Eiseley. Per Eiseley, we will be drawn to the darkness because: You will be drawn to it by cords of fear and of longing. You will imagine that you are tired of the sunlight; the waters that unnerve you will tug in the ancient recesses of your mind; the midnight will seem restful – you will end by going down (Eiseley, 15)

Throughout the poem Beowulf, the author, whom to this day is still unknown, uses light and darkness to explain good and evil characters and events. This unknown author describes Beowulf, the hero of the story, and other people and events as bright, as well as making many references to the sun and sunlight. The monster that Beowulf defeats named Grendel, is often described as a shadow or only emerging in the dark of night. The imagery is used with light and dark is used to represent the good and evil that the author saw as he was Anglo-Saxon and likely pagan as well. Imagery is used often throughout the poem, but especially when Grendel and Beowulf are first introduced and when they fight.

Poe’s use of imagery in the short story is powerful and shows itself in multiple parts of the story. When Poe writes they “arrived at a deep crypt” (Poe) and “the foulness of the air caused out flambeaux rather to glow than flame” (Poe), the reader can write out an image to imagine what the scenery of the story is looking like at the moment. The feel, touch, smell, etc. is what Poe did really well when creating these images. Poe’s distinct explanations of imagery really put images into the readers head.

Plutonian is a reference to the dark and frightening God of the underworld; Plutonian is a symbol for Poe's interest in the afterlife. The night and shore are symbols for the vast and dark world at night and the mysterious ocean. The narrator introduces the Night's Plutonian shore symbol by saying, “Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!" (Poe 47). Since the Night's Plutonian shore is referring to the night, and the narrator asks the raven what thy lordly name is; it is assumed the Raven is a god or lord of the night.