Rhetorical Analysis: Gun Control Saves Lives

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It only lasts an hour, yet the entire nation seems to know by the thirty-minute mark. It reaches the headlines of every major news network, capturing the attention of ordinary Americans watching their nightly news programs. Some are shocked, others’ hearts filled with empathy, and some, with rage. But some will not react at all, not to another American school shooting. Desensitization has gripped us, removing our ability to see the brutal reality in front of us. We fail to see the haunting truth that children die every day, not at the hands of illness or accidents, but at the mercy of an unforgiving gun. The short animated film, If Anything Happens I Love You, and the essay, The Science Is Clear: Gun Control Saves Lives both call for awareness …show more content…

It is a common expectation that rhetorical arguments should be rooted in ethos. As both the essay and animated short have shown, it is a potent tool that aids the audience in trusting the messages portrayed by the creators. Still, the notion that messages within films are only considered when they receive acclaim, or that rudimentary concepts must be published in esteemed scientific magazines for audiences to understand, is jarring. It’s absurd that unless the source’s credibility is proven beforehand, the argument for reducing gun violence is ignored. One of the most compelling features that leaves a lasting impact in If Anything Happens, I Love You, is its poignant and dull monochromatic hues. However, in the climax, moments before the shooter fires, a juxtaposing light envelops the room in color. Above the school windows, sits a bright red and blue American flag, undisturbed and unfazed as gunshots ricochet underneath it. The silent and bright flag acts as a harsh invective, reminding viewers of the American government’s guilt. They too sit unmoving and unyielding to change, even while blood stains their …show more content…

Using repetitive words such as “again”, and “always”, they condemn American politicians for their continuous lack of action on gun control. Patriotism, a once beloved blessing, has now morphed into a poison that taints the hearts of Americans. Citizens are forcibly handed an idealized image of their country and are expected to be comforted by the cyclic promises government officials make after every school shooting. Even while they always pledge to prevent such a horrific incident from happening again, nothing is done to change the situation. Through their respective invectives, the film and the essay speak against the unkept promises, defiantly proclaiming how children suffer the consequences of inaction. The inherent hypocrisy within the government is conveyed through both sources, ultimately establishing its absurdity. 3 times a year, students are led to gather in a small hidden area. They shush one another as the last giggles are let out, and the room turns dark and silent. But these children aren't playing hide and

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