Analysis Of The Essay 'Let There Be Light' By Paul Bogard

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In the essay “Let There Be Light”, the author Paul Bogard argues that due to the overwhelming amount of light pollution, natural darkness is being lost. He uses, personal anecdotes, imagery, and factual evidence to defend his claim. To begin his article, Bogard recalls a personal story; his vacations at his family's Minnesota lake house as a child and the way that his “hands disappeared before [his] eyes”. By sharing his past experience he is intentionally making the reader remember their own experiences similar to his in which they were amazed and comforted by the similar feeling of darkness. This not only draws his readers in, making them want to delve deeper into the topic, it also establishes certain emotions that now correlate with the word darkness. Bogard then continues to strengthen his argument on the preservation of darkness by sharing broad and common instances in which further play on the emotions of the reader; “Consider how it brings us together with those we love, how we illuminate our most intimate experiences with flame or moonlight”. This excerpt not only installs a personal instance within the minds of the reader, but also establishes validity to his claims by doing so. …show more content…

Or a candlelight dinner? Or a New Year's bonfire with friends?” Although this installs a more situation type picture for the reader rather than one single image, it allows the reader to further relate to the topic and feel its impact more personally. To continue, Bogard’s use of generally pleasant ideas also cause the reader to identify darkness with the same emotions that arise while reading these scenarios. For example, because he related a “bonfire with friends” to darkness, warmth, comfort, and joy will then be transferred onto the thought and feelings of

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