Tiana Langer
English 102-028
09/15/2011
Essay 1, Outline
Title: A Rhetorical Analysis of ‘A Wrestling Mom’
Thesis: In the piece, A Wrestling Mom, Blakely appeals to the reader’s pathos while establishing her ethos through her experiences with her son during his senior year of high school, while also illustrating the bond of love between two people, and the symbolism and effect of words and language.
I. Establishment of Ethos and Pathos
a. Background information on herself and sons
i. Single mother
ii. feminist
iii. Sons have had many different role models
iv. Sons passion for wrestling
b. Introduction of her oldest son ‘Ryan’
i. In his senior year of HS
ii. Is a captain on wrestling team
1. ‘close fraternity’ of teammates and coaches
2. dedication
c. The many stories of her relationship with her son
i. the car ride after a victory
ii. Her son’s enragement on golf course with relatives
iii. When her son was taken to the Hospital
iv. The analogy of the shoelace
II. Bond of Love Between Two People
a. Open admiration for her son
i. Pg 263, sentence 1.
ii. His warm up ‘dance’ pg 264
b. Realization of growth and separation
i. Her son’s invitations
1. wanted to introduce to his mother who he had grown to be
ii. the end of the intimacy shared
1. the lack of need from his mother
2. the reference to Robert Bly
a. ‘single mother’s close relationships with sons often make it difficult for them to come to terms with the aggressive and competitive parts of themselves’
b. Some truths that men must learn from other men
iii. Realization of Strength
1. results of growth and observation of power
a. seen the effects of training
b. seen it used during a match
c. his capacity to use his strength
2. the conflicting views of a person’s power
a. his love for it
b. her regret of it
3. How it would effect his future relationships
a. With women
i. Fear
ii. ‘collateral’ damage of violence
III. Symbolism and Effect of Words and Language
a. Use of language
i. Location, and personal views
1. locker room, line of work
2. personal views of certain words
a. can be offensive
b. Definitions and interpretations
i. ‘fairies’
ii. ‘PAIN’
iii. ‘Captain’
c. Symbolism of Words
i. Importance
ii. Sexual Orientation
Conclusion: Blakely touches the facts that as the people we love change, whether they are our children or friends, we must accept who they become as they grow, and be aware of how we use our languages in certain situations. In some situations words that are offensive are used to express dominance, but like Blakely said, “if we would only be less careless with our language” we could stop wars and conflicts and essentially make our world a better place for those we love.
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