TOW #7: Sherlock Season 3 (Visual Text)

A few months prior to the release of Sherlock season three, the BBC released a twenty-five-second teaser video. With nearly two years between seasons two and three, viewers could easily have forgotten about the show, or lost interest due to the long wait. However, with the release of even such a short trailer, the BBC restored interest and got their viewers excited for an all-new season of the popular detective show.

The color scheme in the beginning of the short clip includes mostly dark hues. The key characters of previous seasons are all shown in relative darkness, and Sherlock himself is a mere shadow behind a door, an orangey light emanating from somewhere behind him. The ominous lighting creates an air of mystery, suitable not only for the detective show, but also for the note on which the previous season ended: Sherlock’s apparent death. This is coupled with the Sherlock theme song, which begins quietly, adding to the effect. The haunting shadows leave much in the dark for the viewer, working as an effective teaser for the new season. The fact that Sherlock himself is shown as a shadow adds to the initial anticipation—is it really him? The light from behind gives him a god-like look, fitting for the idea of him returning from the dead. However, it is a mild irony that might be recognized by a fan of the show, as in the last episode of season two, he says, “Oh, I may be on the side of the angels, but don't think for one second that I am one of them.” Perhaps the choice of hellish orange for the backlighting is representative of the fine line he walks between angel and demon. Toward the end of the clip, paired with a crescendo in the music, the back of Sherlock’s head is revealed, and then in full light, his face, before the screen abruptly becomes black and the music stops. This affirms that Sherlock is indeed returned but little else, not answering the burning question of how he survived his fall from the top of a London building. The gradual rise in the tone of the music and then abrupt end contributes to suspense. Certainly, the clip effectively teases the audience, reinvigorating their interest in the show.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01dmmbj

TOW #6: A Modest Proposal (Written Text)

Jonathan Swift, an Anglican member of the Irish upper class in the eighteenth century and harsh critic of England’s exploitation of the Irish, wrote in 1729 “A Modest Proposal” to the British upper class. His caustically satirical piece is meant to bring to attention the shameful handling of the Irish poor.

The hyperbolic satire employed by Swift “humbly” proposes that to alleviate the burden of the plethora of impoverished Irish Catholics on the kingdom, the children of the poor, upon reaching a year of age, might be slaughtered as hogs and served as food to the wealthy. Though on the surface Swift’s tone is earnest, sarcastic undertones suggest that his proposal is by no means a serious one. Swift writes: “I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children” (Swift 7). Though topically logical, Swift is in truth pointing out that the landlords have ruthlessly taxed the lower classes to the point of extreme poverty, “devouring” their means of sustaining themselves. Swift’s satirical prose is successful, as he employs ethos, pathos, and logos, as one would do in a serious argument, in an ironic manner. He explains the logical benefits, such as a new dish, new income for the Irish poor that might be exploited by landlords, and a reduction in the Irish Catholic element. He additionally cites sources, which he claims are credible, to support his argument, including “the famous Psalmanazar” (Swift 9). This example, in fact, works to further his satirical criticism, as Psalmanazar was actually a famous imposter who convinced many church officials and nobles of cannibalism in Formosa. Pathos he appeals to with his claim that his proposal is rather charitable.

This aside, perhaps Swift’s most effective strategy is his usage of paralipsis, ending his piece by saying “let no man talk to me of other expedients…” (Swift 11), at which point he apparently dismisses many methods of aiding the Irish poor, such as by taxing the absentee landlords, or by rejecting many foreign luxuries in favor of those made at home. This part of his proposal brings to light Swift’s true opinions of how to deal with the poverty and greed by saying that they should not be addressed, ironically proposing cannibalism as a more viable solution.

TOW #5: "Tear Down This Wall!" (Written Text)

In April of 1987, US President Ronald Reagan visited Berlin for the second time in his presidency. His visit coincided with the 750th anniversary of the city of Berlin, as well as controversy over the stationing of short-range American missiles in Europe. In his iconic speech before the Brandenburg Gate, Reagan addressed his assembled West-German audience, as well as Eastern Europeans, who were permitted to view the broadcast. Aiming to promote democracy over the Soviet regime, he wholly capitalized upon the Berlin situation.

Reagan’s argument rests partly on logical appeal. Through a juxtaposition of “free” countries and the Soviet bloc, he highlights the comparative economic successes of those free nations over their communist counterparts. He speaks of “reduced tariffs, expanded free trade, lowered taxes,” of doubled standard of living, and of abundance in the West. To contrast, he notes that the Soviet Union still cannot produce enough food to sustain its people. This natural appeal of Western living is for his Eastern viewers. No government, totalitarian or otherwise, can stand without a body of citizens to rule; to feed its populace the promises of a better life under another administration is to erode that foundation. He additionally seeks the support of West-Berliners, establishing his credibility with reminders that it was the Americans, who following the closure of WWII, reached out to help Germany through the Marshall Plan. Though some Europeans doubted Reagan due to recent controversy over missiles, such a reminder demonstrates the United States as an ally not only of Germany, but of freedom. This last concept is used by the president for an emotional appeal. “Freedom leads to prosperity. Freedom replaces the ancient hatreds among the nations with comity and peace. Freedom is the victor.” In a world divided into two ideologies, the dividing line of which split the city of Berlin in two, the repetition of freedom and promise of peace would have reached a hope in the heart of West-Berliners, and a dream in the mind of the East, building support for Reagan and democracy which would power the passion with which the public would respond to the speech’s most famous line: “General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

Though Reagan’s words still remain profound twenty-seven years later, the Berlin Wall lasted just over two years following the speech. In Germany, October 3rd became a day to celebrate the country’s unity. This October 4th, I chose my TOW to observe the day, and to celebrate the reunification of a country I have grown to love next to my own.