eng4u summative report
TRANSCRIPT
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Songyi Yuan ENG4U Stratton Due: 2013-07-22 Summative Report
In An honest answer? Shocking! the author William Watson convinces the readers that
people often do not want to hear the truth, as they are accustomed to falsehood and being told
what they want to hear. A positive first impression, crafty lies, and a comforting, albeit deceiving
demeanor is what people need in times of crisis. Any deviation from this accustomed expectation
of lies results in utter disbelief, despite seemingly good intentions, as expressed by Edward
Burkhardt and his press conference at Lac-Megantic.
Watson uses very strong and highly effective contrast between what Burkhardt did and
what an ideal representative would have done. Watson describes this person as a hired
spokeswoman, who expressed seriousness yet appeared attractive. She should be wearing blue
to show trust, but not an outrageously gaudy suit as it fits in with the low-incomes of most
disaster victims. Of course, being in Quebec, she would begin her presentation and apology in
French first, and then English. Her goal is to give a generic apology, seem to feel concerned, and
come press conference question time, and merely rephrase what she had said. This idea
spokeswoman would emphasize the obvious, but takes a neutral, passive stance in the whole
matter. This course of action will not only please her company (Maine, Montreal and Atlantic
Railway), but also please the families of disaster victims with her well-calculated compassion. Incontrast, Ed Burkhardt was sent in all his mocking glory. A 74 year old CEO arrived five days
late in a private jet from Calgary, and then chauffeured into Megantic in a limousine. Not only
does Burkhardt respond to questions solely in English, he makes the biggest mistake any
corporate spokesperson makes: pointless rambling. While the idea spokesperson would avoid
piercing questions and answer most with the same idea: Im sorry, but I understand you concern,
Burkhardt would awkwardly scour his mind for any truth he can grasp on, regardless of whether
or not it helps with his public image or portrayal of his apologetic message. Burkhardt not only
betrays his company (claims the train accident was a mechanical fault by his engineers, and not
simply an accident), but also openly insults the severity of the accident when he refuses to
apologize again after being asked to (he says that he had already apologized 10 times that day).
In addition, the method of generalization of individuals also develops what Watson is
trying to prove. His claims of the ideal spokesperson generalizes stereotypes, albeit those with
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positive connotations. Watson states that women show more empathy when disasters involve
losses of lives. A persons physical appearance, dress, and age are also key factors on pleasing an
audience. The reader is shown that an audience overlooks status, wealth, and power in favour of
knowledge, praise, and trust. This description is also parallel to Thomas Mores attitude
concerning the divorce of King Henry VII, as the king trusted a man who pleases the populace
without the use of power, wealth, or status, but on his trustworthiness and honour.
Watson uses a highly critical tone throughout the editorial, but does so effectively to
convey a sense of hatred and dismay even while in a serious attitude. In the article, Burkhardt
was described as someone who put his financial loss on a par with all the deaths. This shows
the deep astonishment of the author that the subject would even remotely regard personal wealth
with the lost lives of fifty people, and further emphasizes the severity of the occasion, and how
Burkhardt really values the truth (as, indeed, he did lose quite a considerable sum of money) over
appealing to his audience. The article states that BS is [not] false but that [BS] is phoney.
This quote is significant in establishing the critical tone of the piece as it even puts down truth as
although being truth, it is not genuine. This is attacking Burkhardts attempt at an apology in that
stating his concerns, public image, financial losses, mourning of the deaths, and the cause for
accident is valid, but not in the sense that he supports his claims. As quoted, [Burkhardt should
have said that] involvement in conceded, [but] responsibility is not.
An honest answer? Shocking! andA Man for All Seasons is closely connected in their
idea of theme such that silence is more beneficial for ones well-being, as ones opinion, even if
it is the honest and whole truth, is disregarded and frowned upon in favour of that of which
appeals society. Consequence to following this will result in public image deprecation and the
eventual downfall. InA Man for All Seasons, protagonist Thomas More, when approached by the
king to condone his divorce, refuses to even satisfy the simple wish of a statement of approval.
More does so because he is so dedicated to his conscience that his desire to keep his morals
intact overrules the pressure to conform to the wants of society and his king. Mores action of
pursuing the truth results in his loss of job, imprisonment, and execution. Although not as
dramatic, Burkhardts crisis is a very similar case to that of More. Burkhardt was approached by
the citizens of Lac-Megantic and the press on his opinion on the accident. Instead of following
the usual guidelines of accepting full responsibility and displaying genuine sorrow, much to
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the surprise of his audience, Burkhardt immediately pointed an accusatory finger to his engineers
and train operators, and even becomes frustrated and commanding of his audience. Even though
Burkhardt never uttered a single lie in his press conference and interview, his truth hurt the
townspeoples feelings even more than a lie could have. By refusing to derail from the truth,
Burkhardt faced public ridicule, a ban from the town, and exile from any further attempts of him
to fix the problem. This revelation of the theme topic of silence and its strength effectively is
demonstrated in both the editorial An honest answer? Shocking! and the playA Man for All
Seasons.