Questions for 1st Burke reading

Now that we have all had some time to digest the thought intensive prose of Kenneth Burke, please post an answer to at least one of these questions and feel free to post questions of your own for extra credit. Please try and make sure your post adds something new to each thread of question answers. Also, title your response in terms of which question you are answering: Answer to Question 1, Answer to Question 2, etc. Posts must be published by Saturday 9/12 at 12 PM.

1) pg. 13- Burke refers to the term "bastard" as undergoing a transformation wherein its new meaning was "as [an] epithet to describe a man's character." How can we apply this to terms such as "homeless," "hungry," and/or "poor." What impact does this have on our ability to persuade audiences to take action to ameliorate hunger in various communities?

2) pg. 15- The final paragraph of the section titled "Dramatic and Philosophic Terms for Essence" states that beginnings can overshadow ends and ends can overshadow beginnings. How can we apply this to our portrayal of hunger issues in an effective/persuasive manner?

3) pg. 20- Burke claims war is a special case of peace. Why is it important to view war in this fashion? What does that make hunger a special cause of? How can we apply this to our persuasive portrayals of hunger?

4) pg. 20- In “Identification and ‘Consubstantiality’” Burke writes about making two individuals feel a connection through mutual identification. “Consubstantiality” creates this identification. What are some of the “Consubstantials” (to butcher his terminology) we might use to create identification between the hungry and our target audiences?

5) pg. 22-3 In the same section on “Identification and ‘Consubstantiality’” Burke states, “Identification is affirmed with earnestness precisely because there is division.” Should we solely be concerned with using identification persuasively, or could division also pose some persuasive potential? Explain your position.

6) pg.39 Burke states, “Only the voices from without are effective which can speak in the language of a voice within.” How can we apply this to effectively/persuasively spreading our message of hunger relief?

7) pg. 45 Burke argues that the decisions of what is too much and what is too little are acts of rhetoric. How does this apply to our concerns regarding hunger issues?

Sadly Ironic Food Issues Perpetuating Hunger

Hey Mates,

Use this sectionto post link that expand on our earlier discussion of how hunger is perpetuated through seemingly ridiculous practices: exporting food while citizens go hungry, raising crops for biofuels, etc...