History REHUGO Analysis of Elie Wiesel's Speech: "The Perils of Indifference"

Karsha Smith

Mr. Soeth

English 3 AP

2 February 2011

History REHUGO: Analysis of Elie Wiesel’s Speech—“The Perils of Indifference”

A.    Speech: “The Perils of Indifference” – speaker: Elie Wiesel

B.     In this speech, Elie Wiesel believes indifference can cause a person to lose their humanity. Indifference is not a response to any given situation, but only an uncompassionate, hardhearted feeling. He explains why indifference should be avoided at all costs to create a hopeful future and tenderhearted people.

C.     Evidence:

a.       Wiesel effectively uses immorality versus morality to convince/convey to the reader how the past has affected us and why we should all think about what is right and wrong. We need to show compassion to those who are less fortunate (also known for the use of allusion). This idea applies to the past, present, and future. Back then, during World War II, the United States slowly began to intervene in the war against Hitler/Nazi Germany. America only entered the war after Pearl Harbor, which was the attack on one of their military bases by the Japanese. Wiesel questions why this is so. Why did America only get involved after American citizens were injured? Why did the country show such indifference at a time of need?

b.      The speaker wants to teach people today how to prevent such an act of inhumanity to happen again. He not only mentions the past, but also the present (the time the speech was given, which was 1999) when Mrs. Hillary Clinton began the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, the Adoption and Safe Families Act, and the Foster Care Independence Act. Wiesel thanks Mrs. Clinton for helping children with these new laws. “And I am grateful to you, Hillary -- or Mrs. Clinton -- for what you said, and for what you are doing for children in the world, for the homeless, for the victims of injustice, the victims of destiny and society.”

D.    Rhetorical Strategies:

a.       Rhetorical Questions: Wiesel uses many questions so the audience can question themselves on their morality. He wants people to open their eyes to their surroundings and open their hearts to kindness, sympathy, and compassion. “Does it mean that we have learned from the past? Does it mean that society has changed? Has the human being become less indifferent and more human? Have we really learned from our experiences?”

b.      Appeal via credibility (Ethos): By mentioning how he was a victim of the holocaust (especially explained in his book called Night), he increases his credibility.

c.       Extended Metaphor: He explains through an extended metaphor (figurative language) how he was a boy who thought he would never have joy in his heart again after the Holocaust. “He was finally free, but there was no joy in his heart. He thought there never would be again.”

d.      Appeal via reasoning (Logos): The speaker mentions many events during that millennium to further prove his knowledge on the time period. This increases his credibility as well, and helps back up his purpose.

e.       Definition (Indifference): The word’s definition is the whole purpose of the speech. Wiesel defines “indifference” as “a strange and unnatural state in which the lines blur between light and darkness, dusk and dawn, crime and punishment, cruelty and compassion, good and evil.”

E.     Elie Wiesel’s speech is supported with a decent amount of evidence. He wants the people of the human race to think of the word “indifference” and notice its impact in their everyday lives. Each person can stop this “feeling” if they try. For example, every day there are many instances where individuals are hurt under immoral motives. Anywhere a human being goes, they will be questioned and teased for any idea involving their race, religion, beliefs, gender, and even the simplicity of how they dress. When one gets teased, often no one will step in to stop the fighting. Elie Wiesel wants to help decrease these occurrences and to help each century learn from the world’s past mistakes.  “And together we walk towards the new millennium, carried by profound fear and extraordinary hope.”

MLA Citation for Speech:

Wiesel, Elie. “The Perils of Indifference.” White House, Washington, D.C. 12 Apr.

            1999. Speech.