Strength in Stripes
Michael Tran
Period 2
Mr. Gerdes
December 2, 2010
Strength in Stripes
Without rhetoric, literature would be terribly bland and so writers make a valiant effort to enhance their text with such devices. But what use is an interesting text if it is not understood? How could any point be made if the syntax is not well received? In The Tiger Is God, written by Stephen Harrigan, that is not the case. Harrigan uses such devices to state his point so clearly it seems to almost flow onto the page from a faucet and quickly absorbed by the sponge that is your mind. With his word choice and flare he easily emphasizes his point, like an arrow to the center of the target, that the tiger is an all mighty powerful creature. Right from the start on the very first page of the very first paragraph, you are enticed by his syntax that describes the tiger and his actions in an exciting and blunt manner. “They come from behind, from the right side, and when they lunge it is with the intent of snapping the neck of the prey in their jaws”(pg.350) And it later continues to say, “the tiger had broken the glass, grabbed the keeper and pulled him through the window to his death”(pg.351). You might say his wording was very simple there, but that is just the beauty of it. It is the simplicity so early on that makes it clear what you will be getting into as you continue to read his essay. At this point it is obvious about the author’s feeling towards the majestic creature. However what truly makes everything completely evident is his statement “One point is beyond dispute: A tiger is a predator, its mission on earth is to kill, and in doing so it often displays awesome strength and dexterity” (pg.351). With such powerful words well crafted, you can sense the author’s admiration for the beast as well as his fearful perception from his brief but resonating statement. As a reader you quickly have an understanding of his point to build off of. However, his perspective of
Period 2
Mr. Gerdes
December 2, 2010
Strength in Stripes
Without rhetoric, literature would be terribly bland and so writers make a valiant effort to enhance their text with such devices. But what use is an interesting text if it is not understood? How could any point be made if the syntax is not well received? In The Tiger Is God, written by Stephen Harrigan, that is not the case. Harrigan uses such devices to state his point so clearly it seems to almost flow onto the page from a faucet and quickly absorbed by the sponge that is your mind. With his word choice and flare he easily emphasizes his point, like an arrow to the center of the target, that the tiger is an all mighty powerful creature. Right from the start on the very first page of the very first paragraph, you are enticed by his syntax that describes the tiger and his actions in an exciting and blunt manner. “They come from behind, from the right side, and when they lunge it is with the intent of snapping the neck of the prey in their jaws”(pg.350) And it later continues to say, “the tiger had broken the glass, grabbed the keeper and pulled him through the window to his death”(pg.351). You might say his wording was very simple there, but that is just the beauty of it. It is the simplicity so early on that makes it clear what you will be getting into as you continue to read his essay. At this point it is obvious about the author’s feeling towards the majestic creature. However what truly makes everything completely evident is his statement “One point is beyond dispute: A tiger is a predator, its mission on earth is to kill, and in doing so it often displays awesome strength and dexterity” (pg.351). With such powerful words well crafted, you can sense the author’s admiration for the beast as well as his fearful perception from his brief but resonating statement. As a reader you quickly have an understanding of his point to build off of. However, his perspective of
Cited: Harrigan, Stephen. The Tiger Is God. 17 Th ed. Print.