Article Title: WHAT’S LEFT IN IRAQ by Dexter Filkins
Democratization of a country is one process that the United States has played a significant role in. In this article, the author, Dexter Filkins, utilizes U.S. engagement in Iraq to illustrate the effects of American involvement in the attempted stabilization of another country. Filkins is highlighting how American involvement in the reformation of Iraq among constant inter-fighting has incurred drawbacks in the forms of innumerable deaths and benefits in the form of a hope for the future, culminating in a breeding ground for self-sustenance and passionate purpose.
Starting with the second paragraph of the article, the use of diction such as “crimson” is indicative of a very unique reflection on the bloodshed occurring in Iraq. Rather than using the color “red”, the author relies on “crimson” to display the magnitude of bloodshed occurring in Iraq. Furthermore, in the same paragraph, the author states that we will “…find some of those young men in the years to come: in shallow graves, in garbage dumps, at the bottom of the Tigris, their skeletons still handcuffed and gagged, alongside the rusting cars and washing machines.” This use of imagery sets-up a very gruesome image of the Iraqi condition. Is this what American habitation in Iraq has caused? If this is the result with American presence, what will it be without? The author is attempting to incite the question “Is it really worth it?” Over the past nine years, the author clearly illustrates how the situation has exacerbated and led to nothing but more bloodshed. The country is on its path to deterioration. While it may be worth noting that Americans have helped build “schools, roads, and bridges”, a detail utilized by Filkins, the resulting bloodshed in the past decade seems to have engulfed all efforts.
Upon establishing this scenario, the author questions: Is there any good in this? He demonstrates a scenario where an Iraqi teenager is captivated by the Oakley sunglasses worn by an American soldier and asks to wear them with alacrity, thinking that they have built-in X-rays. When he is dismayed by his inaccurate claim, he pleads to the American soldier in the last line of the article “Please. Turn them on.” While American presence on Iraqi soil may not have significantly altered the worsening situation in Iraq, it has, nevertheless, conveyed a sense of hope for a better future. By seeing the American condition through the common American soldier, Iraqis have developed an urge to experience the satisfaction of being a free citizen of a country that is self-sufficient and is able to provide for its residents, ensuring their livelihood under the banner of democracy. While nine years of bloodshed may have wrought only some progress, it certainly has instilled a desire to achieve fulfillment in life, whether today or in the next 100 years.
From your analysis of the diction, I have found this piece of writing that you analyzed to be a very disturbing piece. The diction is extremely powerful and truly causes readers to raise the questions that you asked in your analysis. It makes it all seem as if getting involved in Iraq was a mistake. From your interpretation of the piece, that is what I gathered as the author's point. It is pretty clear that he may hold a negative view of American Involvement and the price is far too high to continue. I found it interesting that you noted that the bloodshed has engulfed all positive aspects of American involvment, something that the diction of the piece helps to convey in my opinion. The author clearly has a strong shift his writing in after establishing the initial scenario, probably out a respect to the brave citizens who has fought to insure democracy. He acknowledges that there is hope in Iraq, something that didn't seem obvious early on in his writing.
ReplyDeleteStarting off a response on the right note is important. I think that you should rewrite the first sentence. I think this, "The United States has played a significant role in the democratizing of other nations".
ReplyDeleteYour piece is really interesting, It's cool to see how you show us how the other made it more powerful through creative diction.
I really like the article you chose. It raises a lot of questions and you do an excellent job showing just how powerful it really is through your analysis.
ReplyDeleteReally great article. Your first body paragraph is on point, well argued, and overall excellent in its analysis. Again, throughout your writting make sure that your writting serves to convey your point as precisely and concisely as possible. I was unsure of your final paragraphs message, or if your description of the article is congruent with the original piece.
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