Die Rhetorik der Deustschen

Inventur

Von Günter Eich (1907-1977)

Dies ist meine Mütze,

dies ist mein Mantel,

hier mein Rasierzeug

im Beutel aus Leinen.

 Konservenbüchse:

Mein Teller, mein Becher,

ich hab in das Weissblech

den Namen geritzt.

 Geritzt hier mit diesem kostbaren Nagel,

den vor begehrlichen Augen ich berge.

 Im Brotbeutel sind

ein Paar wollene Socken

und einiges, was ich

niemand verrate,

so dient es als Kissen

nachts meinem Kopf.

Die Pappe hier liegt

zwischen mir und der Erde.

 Die Bleistiftmine

lieb ich am meisten:

Tags schreibt sie mir Verse,

die nachts ich erdacht.

 Dies ist mein Notizbuch,

dies meine Zeltbahn,

dies ist mein Handtuch,

dies ist mein Zwirn.

This is a poem I read last semester in my German literature class that really stuck with me. Instead of wasting an entire page translating this for everyone, I'll just sum it up. The author, Guenter Eich, was a holocaust survivor. In this peom, Eich describes his daily life while living in a concentration camp. This poem illustrates to its readers the simplicity of life and the importance of the bare necessities one needs to live. The grammar is short and sweet as compared to the typical lengthy sentences one often finds in German literature. The importance of this grammar is that it highlights the idea of "simplicity." You don't need much to live, and this poem is certainly a testament to that. The title of the poem "Inventur" translates directly to "Inventure", which is exactly what the poem is all about. Eich lists, in a very simple way, the items he is able to live with in his camp bunk. He mentions items such as a hat, a razor blade, a jacket, a linen bag, a tin can he carved his name into, socks, a nail used for writing, and the list goes on. As you can see, he doesn't have much. What's interesting is Eich's emphasis on the fact that he has his name etched into a tin can. It makes that can his own; he finds beauty in having something left to his name that's so basic to mankind: a writing utensil. I've always liked this poem because the rhetoric is so impressive. Eich's use of simple writing really illustrates the significance and impact the holocaust had on his life. Eich's simplicity exaggerates the giant impact Hitler had on the world at the time. Read aloud, this poem, no matter what language you can speak or understand, screams "basic." There are so many natural pauses exactly where they should be, which carries over into such a somber vibe. Although in German, this is one of my favorite pieces of literature.

The Rhetoric of Being a Masshole

In lieu of the recent and heartbreaking loss to the Giants in the Super Bowl, I've decided to write about Boston. Boston is known for many things, some more famous than others. We're obnoxious sports fans, Brady-worshippers, terrible drivers, and everyone has that uncle that worked for Whitey. Just like any other city, we're loud and proud. But ever since I've been eight hours away from home at Penn State this year, I've realized just how different Boston is. What I tend to say as a colloquial expression is absolutely foreign here. I mean, God forbid i ever say "wicked." How does not one person out of a 40,000 student body not know what a rotary is? Or even a frap or beruit for that matter. 

As I was visiting Boston over Christmas Break, I noticed a certain picture taken from a magazine, blown up, and distributed by the mass to everyone in the city at the time. To say this picture was in high demand would really be an understatement. However, it’s one of my favorite pictures. Ever. As you can see below, it’s loud, it’s proud, and it’s aggressive as hell. It’s encompasses everything about my city so well. We are die-hard fans who love the sports a little too much. I think the “loozah” ties it all together so well. It illustrates our culture and pride and basically shows everyone what we’re all about. Win or loose, I love my city and wouldn’t trade it for the world. Welcome to Boston, loozah.

Renovating a Kitchen with Bud Light

As I was looking up past Super Bowl commercials the other day after our last English class, I started to notice the usage of kairos more and more. The purposeful details that particular commercials utilized were really effective in broadcasting their products to certain audiences. The commercial I chose was a Bud Light advertisement where a couple was getting their kitchen redone. Instead of refurnishing the kitchen, a case of Bud Light was put on the counter. Obviously the wife wasn't too happy and was expecting an actual renovation, but the funny part was that the husband was more than thrilled. Just putting the Bud Light case on the kitchen counter was enough for him. This advertisement really appealed to men because it mocked how women are really interested in home improvement details while the men couldn't really care less. The "host" of the show then goes on to talk about the landscaping being done to the yard. This landscaping is really just filling the yard with more beer. As a female, I thought the mockery of the home improvement shows was hilarious, so it appealed to me as well. This advertisement appeals to men because it highlights the simplicity of a man's thought; all you need is beer. It's a man's commercial, but the humor appeals to women as well. This advertisement discusses the commonplaces among most males but does it in a way that brings humor to the whole situation, which makes for a very successful ad.

Bud Light Super Bowl 2011 Advertisement

This I Believe