Rhetorical Analysis Of Ascher's 'The Box Man'

In the excerpt from Barbara Lazear Ascher’s essay “The box Man”, Ascher uses contrast to provide emphasis on the box Man’s living situation and his desire for loneliness compared to the masses. Ascher’s desired audience is suggested towards those who have been secluded from the normal societal standards of life whether it be unaware or known of their circumstance. Ascher is more so writing to the interest of secluded females rather than the rest with some knowledge of the stereotypical housewife or lover who longingly awaits to have a partner who understands them and makes them feel whole.

In the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck has positioned the characters to help drive the plot, aid or hinder the protagonists, and deliver messages to readers. On the surface, Steinbeck’s novel seems to project a theme of loneliness, and man’s need for companionship. However, often the difference between the lonely and independent characters is obvious, and the contrast between the two groups is extreme. Most characters are completely alone, but how they manage their given circumstances can push the plot, reveal previously hidden traits that may benefit the overall story, and help the reader explore the novel itself more in depth.

from the society can cause loneliness in ones life. In “A Rose For Emily”, William

This essay implies to the reader that loneliness isn’t always a vile thing. The author compares somebody who has absolutely nothing in life but enjoys the solitude, to people who roam through life alone, seeking for company—but never find it. The author compares the chosen lifestyle of the box man, to the undesired for loneliness of the victims. The author explains that although one may be poor and alone, it does not mean that one is unhappy. For example, in paragraph 12 it is explained that the mayor has offered him help, but the box man pushes it away. In paragraph 18 it is described how the box man enjoys his dark life. It is portrayed that life is a solo journey and that one may be much more miserable by going through

When telling the reader about the Box Man’s choice to be homeless, Ascher refers to an anecdote where the Box Man encounters the mayor of New York City, “Last winter, Mayor Koch tried, coaxing him with promises and the persuasive tones reserved for rabid dogs. The Box Man backed away, keeping a car and paranoia between them.” When describing this scene, Ascher makes the mayor sound condescending by using words like “coaxing” and comparing the way he speaks to the way one would speak to “rabid dogs”. The way that the mayor treats the Box Man makes the reader feel sympathy for the Box Man and the way homeless people are treated, and the readers feel guilt due to the way they might have treated homeless people like the Box Man. This advances Ascher’s argument and further persuades the reader to reflect on their own actions and thoughts towards the idea of homelessness. Another tool that Ascher uses to help argue that homeless deserve respect is precise diction.

In the novel Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck uses characterization of dialogue and actions to reveal that one can be surrounded by a group and still be lonely. The use of dialogue proves that the characters are lonely even though they are working closely together. Also, through the characterization of actions the author reveals that most of the men are lonely and that the men occupy themselves even though they are with a group of people. John Steinbeck’s theme applies to the entire would because it proves that loneliness affects everyone at one time or another. It changes the way a person thinks and behaves. When people feel lonely their actions and way of life are affected. Nobody can run away from loneliness even if they live with a group of people. It’s a trait that no one can get rid

Nouwen (1975) describes loneliness as a universal experience that affects even the most intimate relationships. He identifies loneliness as one of the universal sources of human suffering. Some of the mental suffering in the

Loneliness and exclusion from society hurts and affects everyone; the emotional strain a person endures from it creates the image they present to others, but deep down they are not the display image they manufacture. As an illustration, while opening up to Lennie in the barn Curley’s wife states, “I get lonely… You can talk to people, but I can’t talk to nobody but Curley. Else he gets mad.

Loneliness is an theme deeply represented in Of Mice and Men. From the obvious examples

“I don’ like Curley. He ain’t a nice fella,” (86) Curley’s wife did not actually like him; she married him to prove her mother wrong. She thought he was too focused on how well he could fight. However, Crooks grew up always being discriminated from against the world because of his color, but even that after a while got to be lonely. Although he did not put his self out for everyone’s attention, he just stayed alone and read his books.

Loneliness and isolation is a theme that is reflected constantly throughout Of Mice and Men such as; the characters, in the minor actions that the characters pursue, in this case, when the men play solitaire, and also the settings which are described to us that give us the idea of loneliness.

This very distinct sentence demonstrates her frustration with Phil, Ellen portrays this by purposely repeating the statement three times throughout the story, emphasizing Phil’s death. Goodman primarily writes of Phil’s death and disregards incorporating pleasant emotion towards him, but rather demonstrates him as an ordinary, obese man who is chained to his desk at all times. This image of creates a more composed, grim tone which generates less sympathy from the readers on the behalf of Phil. Goodman is also powerful when it comes to incorporating vivid and immense detail into the passage by her diction and use of rhetoric. The section involving Phil’s wife and children add emotion to the passage as well as having an effect which further engages the readers. It shows that his work came first before his family and the family suffered from his choices. This is exemplified when Phil’s “dearly beloved” eldest son goes to his neighbors to ask what his own father

The other section where symbolism is evident is “Small Porch in the Woods.” It is divided into several poems. In the first one, there is the mention of “unshifting star” which represents a change that is undisturbed. It is the turning point of the society. Despite the challenges communities face in their life, their ambition leads them towards achieving their objectives in life. The second poem under this section is about a heavy rain that fell in the month of April. Heavy rain is the representation of unhappy moments. The description presented by the narrator shows that it is a sad moment where everything is carried away. Throughout the poem, the rain is seen, as a lesson

Throughout the story of “The Box Man,” written by Barbara Lazear Ascher, the author ponders over two perspectives. These outlooks are taken and examined by Ascher herself which separate the difference between chosen solitude and unchosen loneliness. The people associated with these terms are widely different for alternate reasons, but similar as they enter the same path to the way of living. The Box Man, a homeless man, has the freedom to do what he wants, he is still seen as the embarassment to society. This homeless man was able to please himself by collecting boxes and asking for nothing more. The author writes,”One could live like this gathering boxes to organize a life” (6). He is forced to do this but in a sense this separates himself

At some point in one’s life there is not only contentment or grief, but a state of loneliness. Loneliness is a part of human life, although some suffer from isolation more than others. Being lonely can lead to depression or create a different persona in oneself. Struggling through isolation can eventually kill one’s soul, expecting no hope or ending up in dangerous situations. The novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck portrays the theme of loneliness especially through two characters. Crooks and Curley’s wife experience the state of isolation as they crave for a friend or someone they can talk with. Steinbeck urges readers to feel pathos when analyzing Crooks and Curley’s wife through the nature of their isolation, their actions and