Representation is governed by perspective. For this reason composers will attempt to manipulate their construction of events and characters, to bring to the fore of public discussion, their own esteemed perspective. This becomes evident in texts of, T

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Conflicting perspectives essay

 Representation is governed by perspective. For this reason composers will attempt to manipulate their construction of events and characters, to bring to the fore of public discussion, their own esteemed perspective. This becomes evident in texts of, “The Justice Game,” by Geoffrey Robertson, Bill Maher’s, “Real Time,” and Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream” speech. It is the ability of these esteemed composers to represent texts which are palpable to the forms and features of their craft that allows them to influence their audience response  on their perspective.

In his “Michael X, on death Row,” chapter, Robertson uses techniques which give the appearance of objectivity, but actually uses them to persuade the audience of his own opinion on the inhumanity of the death penalty. This is demonstrated through Robertson’s portrayal of the conflict between ‘Michael X’ and the Trinidad State, to mirror the larger issue of the conflict between human rights and corrupt government power. Robertson attempts to persuade his audience on the need to abolish the death penalty through positioning his defendant “Michael X,” as the victim. Robertson demonstrates this with positive imagery writing “Michael smiled at me for the first time in the trial and said ‘you see for them you represent hope’”. The powerful and emotive tone used by Robertson to convey Michael X, coupled with the historical dialogue from the trial, humanizes and elevates the convicted criminal thus the audience is positioned to have an empathetic reaction to the Character as Robertson presents Michael, as a paradigm for all individuals on death row, positioning him as a hero, “token black.” Thus he convinces his audiences to see the need to abolish the death penalty, for such a “changed man.”
Robertson acknowledges the opposing perspective giving credence to his own argument. He puts forward his agenda which suggests the practices that occur, like the Trinidad state “defy the logic of human rights.” Robertson validates this through the scientific language on the hangings, “the body twists to and fro,” and “the breaking of the cervical.” Through highly descriptive language, he conjures up sensitive imagery to influence audiences in favour of view on the indignity of capital punishment. Thus Robertson strengthens the credibility of his opinions, alluding to the alternate perspective to gain support for Michael X.

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In direct contrast with Robertson, Maher is blatantly biased in his satire “Real Time,” where he uses conflicting perspectives to show, his own subjective view on the Bush Administration.  Maher, through his use juxtaposition, consolidates his own agenda, when he describes the 2006 congregational mid-terms as a battle between “obstructionists and enablers.” Thus through demonstrating the irrationality of the Bush administration he effectively contrasts between the “Republican propaganda” and his own personal perspective. Maher continues this idea through the critical slope, where he positions his audience to further challenge the bush administration through his descriptive and emotive language when he states ...

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This is an excellent essay which is logically structured and fluently written. PEA is used throughout and literary and linguistic terminology is used accurately. Shows understanding of writers' techniques and the effects on their audiences. 4 Stars