Ripping Off Young America: The College-Loan Scandal
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/ripping-off-young-america-the-college-loan-scandal-20130815
Matt Taibbi's article about college loans sounds like an attack from the very beginning. Even the article's title is attention grabbing, with its accusatory words and angry tone. The author also uses crude and provocative metaphors to add to the feeling of outrage that pervades the piece. Taibbi's use of diction, imagery, and details combine to give the reader a chilling wake-up call.
Even after reading the first few paragraphs, it is clear that Taibbi is furious. His inflammatory language is clearly an attack on the colleges taking part in this scandal and the government that allows (and even benefits from) it. He describes the issue as the "dirty secret of American higher education" and says that it is a "sociopathic marriage" between the government and the private sector that has caused it. Words as harsh as that are bound to spark emotion in people - no one wants to think about the fact that their government has dirty little secrets. Another powerful use of diction came when Taibbi described a House member as having "clucked." The word is typically used to describe the sound a chicken makes, and so the fact that Taibbi used this in relation to someone's words is harsh - he's basically implying that the speaker is bird brained. All of these diction choices leave the reader feeling indignant, and they clearly portray the author's negative feelings towards those involved in the scandal.
The way Taibbi uses imagery to paint a picture of the government is also quite harsh. At one point, he describes Republicans and Democrats as being "snuggled in bed together" after creating a quick fix for the student loan issue. For two usually opposite groups to be so close is not quite right for most people, and the idea of the two parties snuggling in bed is pretty ridiculous. It is also telling when he says that "modern America sucks the blood out of its young." This description brings to mind vampires and other life-draining creatures, certainly nothing that people want to be associated with their country or government. The imagery Taibbi uses is meant to be unsettling for most people, just as the article is.
Taibbi also uses details to get his message across. Even the smallest additions to his article add to the sting. At one point, he slips in the convenient detail that after Congress "resolved" the student loan issue its members were "freed up for their August vacations." It may not seem like it adds much to the article, but that little detail adds a whole new level of attack. Now, Taibbi is implying that members of Congress are lazy and perfectly willing to accept a less than perfect solution so long as they can take their vacations on time. This detail helps Taibbi to create an even more critical view of the government.
Throughout Taibbi's article, "Ripping Off Young America: The College-Loan Scandal," the author uses rhetoric to make readers mad about what's going on. Every piece of the article is an attack. The diction is harsh and unfriendly. The imagery is unsettling and difficult to swallow. The details are small, but they make their point easily. Overall, Taibbi effectively uses his words to make a scathing criticism of the state of college loans in America.
Great job finding a piece with a strong voice! I think you are right on with the effects of Taibbi's language, especially with the imagery. In my opinion though, when an author uses such severe techniques, it lessens the argument a bit. The voice sounds like an angry, over-emotional teenager to me. So I agree completely in your analysis of his techniques; his detailed imagery and rhetoric do convey that harsh, hateful tone you describe. I disagree, however, in how you say he was effective with it. I think this voice is sort of inappropriate for this particular writing, and unfortunately lessens his arguments, which are great arguments. Although I suppose if he is targeting young adults who are starting college, it's possible this voice is not so far off base.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that his voice probably would lessen his argument for certain people. For example, an older individual would likely read this and think that Taibbi was just throwing a tantrum. However, it seems to me that his target audience probably is the college-bound young adults you mentioned, and he wants them to be just as angry as he is so that something gets done.
ReplyDeleteI love your explanation of Taibbi’s language and the quotes you pulled out. “Sociopathic marriage” and “clucked” do make it sound like Taibbi is not only furious, but he’s taking it out on certain people and ridiculing them for it, probably hoping to embarrass them. Taibbi’s imagery makes him seem equally hateful towards the government. I actually think it’s kind of funny that he depicts Republicans and Democrats as “snuggling in bed together”. If he’s saying that both parties are equally terrible, what is he suggesting America do? Create new parties and oust the old ones? Even though it seems like the author is just ranting, he brings up facts to support his point and describes why everyone else should be upset too. If his argument were without facts to back it up, I would say he’s just throwing a tantrum, but I think people reading the article could become persuaded by his points because he does use actual facts.
ReplyDeleteYour analyzation of his techniques was done very well, and your examples were well explained. Why do you think the author is so angry? Do you think he at one point go ripped off by the government? It seems strange to me why he would feel so strongly about the subject. I agree with Mary that his language is overkill and he sounds too emotional and not very reliable. I very much agree that the article makes the reader have emotions, the piece has such a strong main idea that I think it would be hard for the reader not to feel emotions from the writing style of the author. I love when you say, "Now, Taibbi is implying that members of Congress are lazy and perfectly willing to accept a less than perfect solution so long as they can take their vacations on time." because I see that every day! People are always frustrated with government officials and how much money they make, I think it was very good that you got that out of the article. Another good blog post with great ideas!
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