The Way towards Freedom
For a nation that is considered to be a dangerous threat to the world because of nuclear weapons democratic change is highly favored in the modern world and has no better time or place for political support. Democratic nations are seen as the leaders of humanitarian aid, capitalist economies, and natural rights advocates which gives them global influence and credibility. They are like the older brothers maintaining peace among the younger siblings. Why not try to follow in their footsteps? Fathi and Mackey address this in their September 2009 article entitled, “Students Protest at Tehran University” published by the New York Times. This article discusses the oppression of religious interpretation and censorship by the Iranian government upon their people, but more specifically towards: the study of humanities. Writing about this topic of student protests' in Tehran, are meant to show people globally that students in Iran want to bring forth political change to Iran, leaving behind a strong hold to religious context and moving towards a more free interpretation and democratic nation. Throughout the article, the authors do a very well task of informing the American audience of the injustices a world apart, through the use of diction, allusion and multimedia images. The effect that it has on the audience, is that they feel compassion for the students and see them as brave for standing up about it.
Images and Video
To make more appeal to the audience and for them to get a feel for what these protests are like, there is a video posted showing students walking around with green balloons and ribbons, holding up peace signs. The authors included this video to emphasis that it is an example of a democratic mannered protest. There are no weapons, fires, or fights with the armed forces in sight as is usually seen in most Middle Eastern images broadcasted through news networks. By adding this video, the authors make a greater connection to the audience. The audience realizes that this event is actually taking place and that there are real people involved, people like you and me. It is not a fictional novel. And a feeling of sympathy strikes the audience.
Because of the photographs shown throughout the article, the audience sees once again reinforcement of the fact that Iranians are only be ruled upon, and are being encouraged to abstain from anything that goes against the “framework of the beliefs and interests held by the rulers and the system.”These students are covered with green bandanas as if trying to cover their identity are used by the authors in creating what type of consequences can come as a result of these protests such as persecution. Students don’t want to be recognized by the authorities, but they still want to get their point across. If they do get identified, they are risking being punished for defiance. The impact that it has on the American public, is that they view the reality of Iranian government as a strict one and encourage these students to fight for what they believe in.
Diction
Throughout the article, words such as "cleanse," are used to create imagery in the text. Cleanse is typically seen as a word with positive meaning for example to make something appear fresh or new. However, in this context, it is used in connection with the Islamic government attempting to remove as a whole and discredit the field of study of humanities in universities. It is more connected with the wrong and how it only pollutes society and individuals. The authors continue with including excerpts from the rhetorical essay like “strays from the path” and “ begin the surveillance” in an attempt to make clear that the Iranian government makes it seem as if students are criminals which they have to tame early on before they go the wrong direction. By including this type of word choice in the article of different sources, Mackey and Fathi are making the audience lean to their own views and disagree with the concept that these students are the enemies in the story.
Instead of including different slogans used by protestors, the authors include “Death to dictator!” and “Shame! Shame! Representative who is against the people!” to set up contrast. They set the students and the Iranian government on opposites sides of the spectrum. The Iranian government is seen as evil; and in contrast, the students as defending their natural rights. A way that the authors do this is by incorporating an overstatement from the rhetorical essay, “teaching the theories of the humanities in Iran’s universities had been a factor leading to waste and destruction after the recent election.” In this sense, Saeed Hajjarian solemnly blames these protests on the study of humanities and no other factor. The authors do not directly state that either of them is right or wrong, but the fact that make seem through the use of diction and other sources to focus more on the students point of view. This contrast used by the authors, persuades the audience to pick up not only on the views towards the government, but more to rally in favor of the revolutionary students.
Allusion
Allusion is a tool used by the authors through the incorporation of a rhetorical essay by Abuzar, a student at Amir Kabir University in Tehran. The article is entitled "Why Is the Islamic Republic Afraid of the Humanities?" The message that the essay sends is that the government is in essence, wants students to “follow a single school of thought and a single belief.” This essay included in the article is the most credible and powerful tool that the authors included in the article. It is so because the authors aren’t just stating what they see, but it is a first had experience of someone that has lived through it. Therefore, it makes it more meaningful to the audience and strengthens the bond between audience to
Conclusion
Even though Fahiti and Mackey picked a relevant issue for our time, this article would have had a greater impact if the article would have been published internationally. Although this article was posted on the New York Times blog and Americans can read it, most people in other countries don’t have the type of easy access to computers as we do. In some countries, western internet websites are even blocked for the safety of their people. Therefore, it does have an influence of the American public, but lacks the impact in societies like Iran’s. Although, most Americans already agree with the points of views of the authors, the article does help inform Americans that even though, people may live in a country mainly dominated by religion, there are those citizens that want to bring forth change.
Typically, the main purpose of government body’s is to protect the people, and help their citizens prosper: to help them excel. With this article ironically enough, we notice that this is not the case of Iran. Instead of the government promoting more education and diversity, students are limited and denied in the choices that are available to them. The case of half of university students in Iran.
Images and Video
To make more appeal to the audience and for them to get a feel for what these protests are like, there is a video posted showing students walking around with green balloons and ribbons, holding up peace signs. The authors included this video to emphasis that it is an example of a democratic mannered protest. There are no weapons, fires, or fights with the armed forces in sight as is usually seen in most Middle Eastern images broadcasted through news networks. By adding this video, the authors make a greater connection to the audience. The audience realizes that this event is actually taking place and that there are real people involved, people like you and me. It is not a fictional novel. And a feeling of sympathy strikes the audience.
Because of the photographs shown throughout the article, the audience sees once again reinforcement of the fact that Iranians are only be ruled upon, and are being encouraged to abstain from anything that goes against the “framework of the beliefs and interests held by the rulers and the system.”These students are covered with green bandanas as if trying to cover their identity are used by the authors in creating what type of consequences can come as a result of these protests such as persecution. Students don’t want to be recognized by the authorities, but they still want to get their point across. If they do get identified, they are risking being punished for defiance. The impact that it has on the American public, is that they view the reality of Iranian government as a strict one and encourage these students to fight for what they believe in.
Diction
Throughout the article, words such as "cleanse," are used to create imagery in the text. Cleanse is typically seen as a word with positive meaning for example to make something appear fresh or new. However, in this context, it is used in connection with the Islamic government attempting to remove as a whole and discredit the field of study of humanities in universities. It is more connected with the wrong and how it only pollutes society and individuals. The authors continue with including excerpts from the rhetorical essay like “strays from the path” and “ begin the surveillance” in an attempt to make clear that the Iranian government makes it seem as if students are criminals which they have to tame early on before they go the wrong direction. By including this type of word choice in the article of different sources, Mackey and Fathi are making the audience lean to their own views and disagree with the concept that these students are the enemies in the story.
Instead of including different slogans used by protestors, the authors include “Death to dictator!” and “Shame! Shame! Representative who is against the people!” to set up contrast. They set the students and the Iranian government on opposites sides of the spectrum. The Iranian government is seen as evil; and in contrast, the students as defending their natural rights. A way that the authors do this is by incorporating an overstatement from the rhetorical essay, “teaching the theories of the humanities in Iran’s universities had been a factor leading to waste and destruction after the recent election.” In this sense, Saeed Hajjarian solemnly blames these protests on the study of humanities and no other factor. The authors do not directly state that either of them is right or wrong, but the fact that make seem through the use of diction and other sources to focus more on the students point of view. This contrast used by the authors, persuades the audience to pick up not only on the views towards the government, but more to rally in favor of the revolutionary students.
Allusion
Allusion is a tool used by the authors through the incorporation of a rhetorical essay by Abuzar, a student at Amir Kabir University in Tehran. The article is entitled "Why Is the Islamic Republic Afraid of the Humanities?" The message that the essay sends is that the government is in essence, wants students to “follow a single school of thought and a single belief.” This essay included in the article is the most credible and powerful tool that the authors included in the article. It is so because the authors aren’t just stating what they see, but it is a first had experience of someone that has lived through it. Therefore, it makes it more meaningful to the audience and strengthens the bond between audience to
Conclusion
Even though Fahiti and Mackey picked a relevant issue for our time, this article would have had a greater impact if the article would have been published internationally. Although this article was posted on the New York Times blog and Americans can read it, most people in other countries don’t have the type of easy access to computers as we do. In some countries, western internet websites are even blocked for the safety of their people. Therefore, it does have an influence of the American public, but lacks the impact in societies like Iran’s. Although, most Americans already agree with the points of views of the authors, the article does help inform Americans that even though, people may live in a country mainly dominated by religion, there are those citizens that want to bring forth change.
Typically, the main purpose of government body’s is to protect the people, and help their citizens prosper: to help them excel. With this article ironically enough, we notice that this is not the case of Iran. Instead of the government promoting more education and diversity, students are limited and denied in the choices that are available to them. The case of half of university students in Iran.
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