McKenna

McKenna

Rhetorical Analysis of "I Am an Invisible Man" and "Daughters of Liberty" In Glenn Ligon's Untitled ("I am an invisible man"), the artist is able to evoke a strong response from viewers with a few, simple (yet effective) block-printed words. These words read "I am an invisible man. No, I am not a spook like those who haunted Edgar Allan Poe; nor am I one of your Hollywood-movie ectoplasms. I am a man of substance, of flesh and bone, fiber and liquids- and I might even be said to possess a mind. I am invisible understand, simply because people refuse to see me." The rhetoric of these few powerful sentences is vital to the statement of the work. The parallel structure of the words adds fire to their connotation, and allows them to draw viewers in to their smeared block print. The opening sentence is firm and short, yet creates a tremendous impact. Glenn Ligon is well known for addressing huge issues, such as racial discrimination. However, "I am an Invisible Man" tackles an issue of utmost importance. Ligon's smeared words are more than just that; they convey the hopelessness and despair that is the result of being ignored and brought down. His words are emotional, powerful, and effective.

Grant Wood's "Daughters of Revolution", two sour looking women are depicted with smug grins upon their faces looking back upon their Revolutionary heritage. The juxtaposition of the violent, bloody American Revolution and the privileged women is clear. This juxtaposition serves to satire the generations following the Revolution and their brave, courageous ancestors. The women are unattractive, compared to the almost picturesque nature of the painting in their background. The women, dull and unintelligent, seem worthless compared to the bravery and courage of American Revolutionary heroes. This clear and defined juxtaposition clearly satires those who claim to be American, but are truly not sons and daughters of the Revolution.

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Narrative Remediation



The first work, titled Sun on Prospect Street, reminds me of opportunity, the ones I experienced as a child. The colors and structure of the houses remind me of the street I grew up on, and the porches look similar to that of the one I wrote some of my journal entries on on summer days. Every part of this piece reminds me of my childhood, sunny and free. The second piece, Patty-Cake, also reminds me of those wistful days writing those journals. It reminds me of my relationship with my mother, and my blissful ignorance of childhood. The third and final piece, a Degas, reminds me of the freedom I access when I dance, similar to that of the freedom I experienced as a child. My narrative related the ease of being a child with the hardships of growing up, and I think all three of these pieces illustrate that struggle. In every piece, the light is fought for.