TOW 17 Rewrite: How to Live Without Irony

Christy Wampole, a columnist at New York Times, recently published an article that was, for the most part, aimed towards the so-called "hipsters". These "contemporary urban harlequins" who are living a life of irony, nostalgic for times they have never experienced and are partial to outdated fashions and hobbies. I feel as though this article was written in an appropriate time as this generation has been experiencing a growing phenomena of hipsters. A fad you could call it. Or even a cult. Wampole probably felt a need to address this growing number of hipsters emerging from every suburban corner and making their way to cities with obscure bars and farmers' markets.
It seemed like Wampole's targeted audience was not only those who identified themselves as hipsters, but also those like Wampole, herself. People who are afraid of giving sincere gifts because something about choosing a personal, meaningful gift is too intimate and too momentous. There is a belief that this generation has little to offer in terms of culture and originality. Medicines have already been invented, unknown planets have already been discovered, technology has already reached its pinnacle. This belief has made people feel as if they cannot give sincere, sentimental gifts. Why? Because it feels too intimate and momentous and they cannot bear the rejection they might feel if the receiver of the gift does not like it. This defensive behavior may come in forms of  "a kitschy painting from a thrift store" or "plastic Mexican wrestler figures". This is a form of self-defense. Instead of potentially running the risk of getting hurt because your friend does not like the gift of sincerity, you evade the whole situation all together. Hipsters and their outmoded fashions, you and your self-defensive gifts ―all forms of ironic living.
I think Christy Wampole did a good job of not only defining the modern-day hipster and how ironic his/her way of living is, but also adding a personal aspect to it with the use of anecdotes. Wampole mentioned how hipsters are not the only ones leading an ironic life. She, herself, is living ironically by her struggle of giving sincere gifts. Giving absurd and usually ridiculous gifts is a self-defensive behavior she, and most people today, has acquired. It made the article more relatable and less insulting. Wampole also utilized ethos in her article to make it more interesting and credible. She mentioned relevant and important facts such as the Berlin Wall and Generation X to support her article. 
Christy Wampole wrote a very interesting and very true article that captures the essence of what a "hipster" is. Her purpose was clear throughout the article and she lessened the blow (of insults) to hipsters by saying that she, herself, also has fallen victim to this growing fad.

TOW #16: The Power of the Dog, Cabal

Neil Gaiman, an established English author of novels, comic books, and films, wrote about the life and death of his dog and best friend, Cabal. Elements of pathos were used throughout Gaiman's recounting of how he first came to know, love, and trust Cabal. In the end of his blog post, he talks about how Cabal died and how Gaiman, himself, wasn't able to be there at the end. It was happy yet heartbreaking to read at the same time, and I was allowed a glimpse of the happiness and satisfaction Gaiman felt when he was with Cabal. Though this post was for anyone who followed Gaiman's blog, it seemed especially geared towards those with pets, specifically dogs. I could sense that he was trying to convey a subliminal message, which is to appreciate your pets. Love them and respect them and care for them, because they love you unconditionally. These animals bring out the best in you and the least you can do is to allow them to continue. I felt this message was made stronger by Gaiman's use of imagery. He set the scene so vividly, I felt as though I was in his backyard, watching him and his dog running around.
Gaiman did a terrific job celebrating and paying tribute to his best friend. His touching story made me realize how much I want a dog and hopefully, I will be able to adopt a best friend in the future.

TOW #15: Shawshank Redemption

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to (finally) watch "Shawshank Redemption", a short story written by Stephen King that was eventually adapted into a screenplay by Frank Darabont. Wrongly accused of murdering his wife and her lover, banker Andy Duframe is sentenced to life in prison. In Shawshank, Andy befriends Red, a man who is able to smuggle Andy a small hammer. Throughout the years, Andy builds a library and helps the prison workers with financial paperwork, gaining trust and respect from not only his fellow inmates, but also from the guards and the warden, himself. One day, a new inmate arrives, who tells another inmate that he killed a banker's wife and lover. When Andy finds out of this news, he tells the warden, who has the inmate shot. In the end, Andy escapes prison with the hammer Red smuggled for him and Red passes the parole board, the two men eventually reuniting in a Pacific Mexican town.
This movie's purpose seemed to convey two main ideas: hope never dies and persistence is key. Hope is something that belongs to its owner, and only its owner. If you have it, "nothing good ever dies". Also, you must be persistent. Andy was persistent in writing letters to the state in order to get funds to expand the prison library. After years of persistent writing, a check finally came as well as donations. These two main lessons seemed to really focus on those who might think they are at the end of the line, too close to the end with nowhere else to turn. King and Darabont effectively used pathos and ethos to make a poignant statement to their audiences. Inmates were either beaten to death or committed suicide because of everything being "too much" to handle. These deaths showed the audience that death was not the answer. No matter how hard and impossible some things may seems, if you are persistent and continue to have hope, things will work out. Maybe not now, but at some point. Ethos was used to support this unstated claim. Andy and Red eventually made it out of prison and found peace. It took over 20 years but it happened, nonetheless and the author and director wanted to show that the "good" will eventually come.