Kieran Perkins text analysis
Kieran Perkins 1500 Gold medal win
The Olympic Games presents the opportunity to showcase the extraordinary feats of world-class athletes. In his 1996 article, “Perkins finds his heart of gold”, Patrick Smith writes of Kieran Perkins’ 1500 metre swimming victory as a triumph of the heart over self-doubt. Smith’s contention is that even in elite spots, psychological courage can be more powerful than physical conditioning. The headline uses the world ‘gold’ in the context of the Olympics’ highest prize but also as the quality of Perkins’ character. The intended effect of this headline is that the reader feels proud and inspired by Perkins’ achievement.
Smith employs humour throughout his article in order to entertain and keep his readers engaged. This humour is achieved through his use of exaggeration, and by describing Perkin’s swimming technique as ‘dog padd(ling)’. The intended effect of this hyperbole is to help the reader understand how significantly out of form Perkins was before a race where some believed he ‘needed floaties’.
“When you think Kieran Perkins, don’t think technique. Don’t think arms, six-beat kicks, body fat, aerobic fitness. Think head. Think heart.”
Smith uses a combination of repetition and short sentences to doubly convey his message, to not think of Perkins as just another athlete, but as an inspiration. The repetition of these short sentences also comes off as catchy and motto-like, sticking in the readers’ minds.
Smith uses metaphors to describe what Perkins had to overcome; he describes the problems as ‘demons’ that had to be tamed, and then goes on to compare them to everyday Australians – pulling the readers into the story so they can see the extent of the feat. Smith appeals to the underdog, not sympathising with him for being disadvantaged, but praising for ‘refusing to lose’.
The Olympic Games presents the opportunity to showcase the extraordinary feats of world-class athletes. In his 1996 article, “Perkins finds his heart of gold”, Patrick Smith writes of Kieran Perkins’ 1500 metre swimming victory as a triumph of the heart over self-doubt. Smith’s contention is that even in elite spots, psychological courage can be more powerful than physical conditioning. The headline uses the world ‘gold’ in the context of the Olympics’ highest prize but also as the quality of Perkins’ character. The intended effect of this headline is that the reader feels proud and inspired by Perkins’ achievement.
Smith employs humour throughout his article in order to entertain and keep his readers engaged. This humour is achieved through his use of exaggeration, and by describing Perkin’s swimming technique as ‘dog padd(ling)’. The intended effect of this hyperbole is to help the reader understand how significantly out of form Perkins was before a race where some believed he ‘needed floaties’.
“When you think Kieran Perkins, don’t think technique. Don’t think arms, six-beat kicks, body fat, aerobic fitness. Think head. Think heart.”
Smith uses a combination of repetition and short sentences to doubly convey his message, to not think of Perkins as just another athlete, but as an inspiration. The repetition of these short sentences also comes off as catchy and motto-like, sticking in the readers’ minds.
Smith uses metaphors to describe what Perkins had to overcome; he describes the problems as ‘demons’ that had to be tamed, and then goes on to compare them to everyday Australians – pulling the readers into the story so they can see the extent of the feat. Smith appeals to the underdog, not sympathising with him for being disadvantaged, but praising for ‘refusing to lose’.