TOW #16- Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

  
    Many might think from a glance that this book is anything but funny. Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers written by Mary Roach is an uproariously humorous book that is able to take a serious situation and add a light-hearted twang to it. She is far from reserved, as she is quite blunt. Within her last chapters she incorporates chapters on cannibalism, dumplings stuffed with human remains, and methods of disposal that are filled with tons of fascinating facts. Similar to her first couple of chapters she lists the benefits on human cadavers, and their role in society. Many make assumptions, along with generalizations, about using a deceased body as it is "unnatural" and "disrespectful". Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers has completely changed my perspective on human cadavers, and allowed me to no longer believe in these generalizations. Throughout the novel she incorporated many rhetorical devices including rhetorical questions, metaphors, and personification to make the stories come to life for the reader. She is able to connect and relate with her readers and create images rather than loading them with boring facts and knowledge. She states, "the brain being the seat of the soul, the chief commander of life and death,"(Roach 186), through this we see her very poetic and imaginative mindset that she places in each chapter. Overall, Mary Roach's novel is an outstanding book that not only demonstrates the possibilities with a cadaver, but also makes you laugh.

Tow #15- Apotheosis of Martin Luther King by Elizabeth Hardwick

      In honor of it being Martin Luther King Jr. Day I decided to read Elizabeth Hardwick's The Apotheosis of Martin Luther King. Hardwick, a critic, essayist, fiction writer and co-founder of The New York Review of Books, composes a beautiful article of MLK's death on April 4th, 1968. She demonstrates her substantial knowledge through small anecdotes. Hardwick notes that because his unfortunate assassination, the civil rights movement faced a great disturbance as many of the people lost a great leader, as well as supporter. Throughout this piece we are able to see the amount of affection she has towards, even through her morose tone, and the justifiable actions done by him during his fight towards equal rights. Similar to Hardwick's tone, her mood is very depressive towards her audience, evidently activist of the time, and supporters, . At the time the excerpt was written in Memphis, Atlanta (1968) the town is "decaying" (Hardwick 319) and "streets are completely empty of traffic and persons" due to the loss of Martin Luther King Jr. being a devastation for many southern towns. Although his death was a catastrophe to many people Hardwick is able to efficiently and successfully create a piece that mirrors the amazing achievements and aspects of his life. He empowered so many lives, and demanded change. Ultimately she demonstrates the accurate meaning behind MLK's death. Hardwick uses a generous amount of imagery allowing the readers to get a picture of what was going on, along with the reactions of many. Her application of imagery also put emphasis on the hardship she was facing along with the rest of the country. To finish the except she poses a valid question, "What did they mean beyond a wish for the genuine act, a consoling communion with the garbagy streets?"then proceeds to answer it by saying the steps that need to be taken in order to achieve equal rights and that hope should not be lost.  

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - MLK

TOW #14- Pink or Blue Toys for Girls and Boys by Kerri MacDonald

As I was researching for my argument essay I came across an article written by Kerri MacDonald, a New York Times author, called "Pink or Blue Toys for Girls" that explores the Pink and Blue Project created by JeongMee Yoon, an photographer. In Yoon's images she crowds them with...well, all blue or pink toys, clothing, decorations that is SO bright it hurts your eyes. She demonstrates how they’re delightful, yet frightening and ultimately exposes something about both consumerism and gender norms in modern society. Kerri MacDonald starts off by noting that, "one of childhood’s quintessential questions. The answer requires a deep, youthful kind of self-reflection. What is your favorite color?" We hear this question all the time whether someone proposes the common unoriginal question to seeing it on your school papers on the first day of school. JeongMee Yoon tackles the issue with the influence of popular advertising upon children, and the effect it has on a child forcing them into "traditional" gender roles. In this article Kerri MacDonald uses a powerful where she is able to demonstrate the sheer volume in Ms. Yoon's photos.