Rhetorical Analysis CR #1

Plato is making the argument that just as those who are accustom to darkness cannot see easily in the bright light and those accustom to light cannot see easily in the dark, the people who are uneducated cannot easily comprehend the thoughts of the intellects and visa versa. To illustrate this point, Plato uses a multitude of rhetorical questions as well as hypothetical situations. He lets his literal audience of Dlaucon and the reader assume facts that he has yet to overtly state. He then follows up by proving the assumptions made by his audience. Plato establishes ethos by stating not only that the uneducated cannot understand the intellectual, but that the intellectual community is unable to comprehend the thoughts and feelings of those deemed uneducated. He established pathos by first painting a picture of the pain suffered by one who begins inside the cave in darkness who then transfers to the light offered through learning and education. Overall his Allegory of the Cave illustrates how easy it is to become trapped in darkness or in light, and the difficulties faced by those who attempt to shift from one to the other.

            Bauer attempts to make the argument that women have the power through self-objectification as well as pure choice over their decisions, to decide their own future. She uses contemporary women such as Lady Gaga as well as century old philosophers such as Simone de Beauvoir to demonstrate the potential that lies within all women. She also uses these two to show how easily women can succumb to the temptations and excuses presented by the world around them. She establishes ethos by showing that she is not out of touch with modern music and culture. She does so by citing current music videos and feminist leaders. The pathos that she develops is derived from examining the lives of college women. She analyzes their actions in an attempt to explain how easy women now a days can justify poor decisions as well as the feelings that are accompanied by frivolous sexual encounters with men. Overall her argument leans toward supporting women and their ability to decide their own future, although it does tend to be slightly back and forth.