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You and the Atomic Bomb
326
You and the Atomic Bomb
Direct Approach
Conclusion
Connotations
Orwell describes the nuclear weapons as "tyrannical weapons" and simple weapons such as rifles, muskets, long-bows and hand-grenades as "democratic weapons."
Stylistic Choices
Ex: “discover of the atomic bomb, so far from reversing history, will simply intensify the trends which have been apparent for a dozen years past” (line 12, 13).
“the history of civilization is largely the history of weapons” (line 14)
“ages in which the dominant weapon is expensive or difficult to make will tend to be ages of despotism, whereas when the dominant weapon is cheap and simple, the common people have a chance” (line 18-20)
Tone/Imagery
One of the most important techniques Orwell uses is dramatic language. The dramatic language evokes the reader's emotions which allows Orwell to easilty persuade the audience. The fact that this essay was written two months after the incident in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan shows that Orwell is particularly worried about the power of nuclear weapons. Not only does Orwell try to persuade the audience of his argument, he also informs them of the less commonly known dangers of nuclear weapons such as government repression against the common people.
First Half of the Passage
Second Half of the Passage
- promotes his own arguments, uses personal pronouns. "I"
- “simple,” and “commonplace”
- words that connect with the common and “average” person.
- Positive Tone
- Speaks of an idea he is against, does not include personal pronouns.
- “devastating,” “smithereens,” “wiped out,” “abruptly altered.”
- images of being all powerful and controlling which relates to the government/authority.
- Negative tones
Introduction
Denounces the public opinion
Parallel Structure
Structure
In You and the Atomic Bomb, Orwell discusses the less commonly known dangers of the atomic bomb. Orwell argues that the development of the atomic bomb has only served to give governments unlimited power over the common people. This ultimately leads to the common people having no voice or power for change. The passage that we chose most clearly states his argument, while the rest of the essay conveys the argument through examples.
"Thus, for example, thanks, battleships and bombing planes are inherently tyrannical weapons, while rifles, muskets, long-bows and hand-grenades are inherently democratic weapons." (20-22)
More Parallel Structure
"A complex weapon makes the strong stronger, while a simple weapon...gives claws to the weak." (22-23)
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