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Barbara Lazear Ascher's Essay 'On Compassion'

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Barbara Lazear Ascher's Essay 'On Compassion'
In the passionate essay, “On Compassion,” by the respected Barbara Lazear Ascher, the author convincingly depicts her view towards how she feels about why people show compassion. Ascher’s purpose is to demonstrate to the reader the different classes of society and allow the reader to think about how people may appear compassionate but naturally have a fear that causes them to carry out compassionate acts. The author effectively and steadfastly builds the essay by utilizing an observant and speculative tone, a series of figurative language and an emotional appeal in order to convey her outlook towards the homeless and compassion.
Ascher opens up her essay by using imagery to describe the appearance of a fellow homeless man. She appeals to the


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