Blog Prompt - Literacy and Rhetoric

The concepts of rhetoric and literacy do appear to be related as it seems that you cannot have one without the other. In simple terms, literacy is basically the ability to read and write, and rhetoric concerns the art of being persuasive whether it be through words or writing. As we briefly touched upon in class, the ability to both read and write are very powerful once they are given careful thought. For example, while growing up these two abilities enable every single child to develop. Once a child begins to be able to read and write they also begin to expand their horizons. Now, slowly but surely, they will be able to have all their questions answered by researching and reading on what they wish to know, and they will also be able to better communicate their thoughts. As the literacy of a child develops, their rhetoric will too. In the example described above, one can see that literacy and rhetoric can be empowering forces. However, in history we have seen that these can also serve as oppressive forces. Not being able to read or write greatly hinders those who seek progress. Take the cases of all the minorities that struggled to free themselves from slavery in early history. In Russia, the serfs were confined to agriculture. In Latin America, the mestizos and the mulattos were confined to the haciendas, and in the U.S., African Americans were forced to work on the plantations. Slave owners were constantly warned of the “dangers” that would arise if slaves were thought to read and write. Those in power knew that enabling their workers to read and write would eventually lead to them revolting. 

My most recent literary experience occurred over the summer. It had been a long time since I had picked up a book to read on my own. After consulting many people, I gathered a couple of titles that I hoped to read before the summer ended. Of these, the books that really had an impact on me were Tuesdays With Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven, both by Mitch Alborn. These two books really made me reflect on my life. They forced me to consider everything that I had done until this point. I think I can even say that I learned a thing or two from both. I consider both books, although I believe they are fiction, to be philosophical in a sense. This experience was very significant to me because I believe it made me grow was a person. While reading, I could not help but feel as if I was having little epiphanies here and there. Coming from someone who is used to being described as stoic, these two books really made me explore the ideas of empathy and sympathy. This literary experience is one that I know I’ll remember for a while. I know that I will be rereading these books every once in a while because of all the emotions that they stir in me as a reader.