Guitar Battle: Ethos

This picture of an "on-stage battle of dueling guitars" between Carlos Santana and David Brown displays many rhetorical aspects.  This post is about the Ethos used in this picture from Woodstock.  The picture uses the appearances of the two men to prove authenticity of both the men and the picture.  If you look at these two men, you can tell that they are hippies.  From the clothes they wear (slightly beat up) to their hygiene (looking slightly greasy), they look the role.  You may be thinking, "Oh, but these are just stereotypes" but you have to remember that they are stereotypes for a reason.  Proof of their characters being musicians you can see just by looking at their faces.  Passion is flowing out of them, and it shows with their posture and facial expressions.  These things build the character, or Ethos, of the individuals in the photograph as well as the hippy movement in general.  I'm willing to bet that, as many of us look up to celebrities, the hippies looked up to musicians like these and strive to be like them.

Style

My favorite thing about these two pieces are how differently they convey their meaning. The photograph allows you to interpret the scene however you see fit. You're able to take in the scenery, the color of their skin, what they're doing in the picture, and any other factors one might notice. All these things let you form a picture of the time period and what was going on in society in your head. It also lets you figure out on your own whether or not these people agree with society or don't, and whether or not they are advocating for change. On the other hand, 2+2=? comes right out and questions the rules of this time period. He blatantly says "cause I got the gall to ask, can you maybe change the rules" referring to the draft. Instead of leaving the meaning of the song up for interpretation he makes it very clear that he wants change and he's going to speak up about it. It is made very well known that he will be an advocate for change in order to save his own life and many others. Instead of just going with the flow of society, he chooses to question things and whether or not the way things are going is the right way. Both texts are very powerful and have a lot of meaning but one comes right out and says it and one requires you to think.

History

When discussing these two texts I believe it is very important to understand the history of this time period. What brings these two texts together is both are going against the social norms of their time. Typically white people and black people would not be seen together or friends with each other which is the opposite of what's happening in the photograph. This photo is breaking the barriers of the opinions of society by showing two people of different races enjoying each others company and sharing a common interest. When discussing the other text, Seger breaks the silence on the rules of the draft by saying that he doesn't agree with these laws. At this time, all boys 18 and older had to enter the draft and if chosen, had to go to war regardless of their goals in life or whether or not they wanted to go. Both of these texts make their opinion of society's laws well known by going against the norm and speaking their true opinions.

2+2=? Intrinsic Ethos

There are two ways of describing ethos either, intrinsic or extrinsic. Bob Seger in his song, 2+2=?, possesses the first kind of ethos, intrinsic ethos through his lyrics and emotions. The writing of the song is evidently from Seger's point of view, an experience he most likely faced in his life. Being that it is from his point of view he establishes credibility over the topic and presents a great amount of knowledge. Seger's language and choice of words are moving allowing the audience to almost feel the emotions he was feeling at the time, "yes it is true I am a young man but I'm not old enough to kill." The tone and the diction of the lyrics provides a more serious aspect of the song even though the background music makes it seem more of a up beat and moving song. The bottom line is that Bob Seger knows the possibility outcome of going to war and all the facts.  He knows he can't turn down the duty without being called, "yellow."

Logos of 2+2=?

Many rhetorical skill are used in the lyrics of the song 2+2=? but the one being discussed in this post is logos. Logos use logic to try and understand things and figure out why things are significant in the song. These lyrics use logic to question the day to day rules of our world specifically the draft. Seger addresses the fact that maybe he's a fool for asking but why don't they change the rules. It doesn't make sense to him that they are sending young people off to war, taking them from their families, and forcing them to kill people. He acknowledges the fact that he is young but at the same time says that the rules are old and it's time to change them. In his mind if he has to kill people in order to live than something is wrong and needs to change. By questioning these things it forces the audience to use logic and attempt to figure out the answers to his questions. Simply asking something can cause change because if nothing is questioned there is no reason to do anything differently. He was a simple man encouraging everyone to find a simple answer to why these rules are in place and at the same time points out that there isn't much logic to these rules.

Guitar Battle: Pathos

This picture of an "on-stage battle of dueling guitars" between Carlos Santana and David Brown displays many rhetorical aspects.  This post is about the Pathos used in this picture from Woodstock.  This picture offers the idea of unity by using Pathos to illustrate a bond between these two men.  If you look at their body posture, you can tell that their heads are leaned towards each other, trying to be close.  If they didn't have some sort of bond, they could have just put there guitars close, still showing the intensity of the moment without being close to someone on a hot, sweaty stage.  Instead, they lean in and actually try to be close.  The author uses this feeling of comradely and extrapolates it to a feeling of unity through implication.  If these two men can be this close, despite their different races, and share this great bond, then you can at least get along with the person next to you, regardless of their skin color.

Guitar Battle: Logos

This picture of an "on-stage battle of dueling guitars" between Carlos Santana and David Brown displays many rhetorical aspects.  This post is about the Logos used in this picture from Woodstock.  The main logic applied here is reason.  Using the picture, the photographer (or who whoever he is taking the picture for) is using the rationale that if these two men can play guitars together, why can’t the audience at least accept the idea that the races can be equals.  He appeals to this idea by displaying to the audience different races doing an activity, making music, together.  It is implied that their unity can be applied to your daily life. Another piece of evidence that suggests the idea of unity are their clothes.  They have two pretty different outfits on, which normally means that they have two different lifestyles.  This shows that people who live differently can get along as well.  The author of this piece wants to put off a message of unity.  To do this, the author uses reasoning, which is Logos, to appeal to the audience.