ANALYSIS Essay
In “America Needs Its Nerds” by Leonid Fridman, Fridman constantly compares ideas, and uses imagery and rhetorical question to convey his defending tone towards the way “nerds” are treated.
Fridman defends “nerds” by comparing the extremes of how people are perceived as “nerds” or athletes”. In society “someone dedicated to pursuit of knowledge is compared to a freak biting the head off a live chicken”(10). This juxtaposition is used to emphasize the ridiculous way that someone who pursues knowledge is viewed. Fridman makes his point by taking a dictionary definition of something good and showing how extreme it is. He defends the “nerds” by going on to point out other statements that do not idolize nerds. In school, “nerds are ostracized while athletes are idolized”(17-18). Someone who is intellectually advanced is not valued as much as someone who shows physical strength. Fridman states this because of the irony of it, he thinks nerds are just as, if not more, important than athletes.
The imagery that Fridman writes show what people believe to be nerds. People become social outcast by preferring “to read books rather than play football”(20-21). These images evoke the nerds versus jocks scene. Fridman says that these kids, who have different things they enjoy, become “social outcasts”. Fridman defends nerds by writing the image of “the bright kid with thick glasses from kindergarten to the grave”(31-32). Fridman shows, in this image, what he believes happens to these kids who get bullied for liking other things. He defends them by bringing to light to terrible way these “nerds” are treated. This image of a kid from “kindergarten to graveyard” shows the seriousness of this issue and how early it affects kids.
Fridman brings his argument to an end by using rhetorical question to further support himself. Fridman writes the point of “how can a country where typical parents are ashamed of their daughter studying mathematics instead of going to dance(...) be expected to compete in the technology race with Japan…?(47-52). Fridman defends nerds by expressing the importance of the nerds in the development of a country. This rhetorical question emphasizes that importance. He further states this point by asking “how long can America remain a world-class power it we constantly emphasize social skills and physical prowess over academic achievement and intellectual ability?”(53-56). Fridman shows that America cannot sustain world-class power without a change emphasis on “nerds”.
Fridman defends “nerds” because he knows the importance of country advancements. He defends “nerds” with imagery, comparison, and rhetorical question.
Fridman defends “nerds” by comparing the extremes of how people are perceived as “nerds” or athletes”. In society “someone dedicated to pursuit of knowledge is compared to a freak biting the head off a live chicken”(10). This juxtaposition is used to emphasize the ridiculous way that someone who pursues knowledge is viewed. Fridman makes his point by taking a dictionary definition of something good and showing how extreme it is. He defends the “nerds” by going on to point out other statements that do not idolize nerds. In school, “nerds are ostracized while athletes are idolized”(17-18). Someone who is intellectually advanced is not valued as much as someone who shows physical strength. Fridman states this because of the irony of it, he thinks nerds are just as, if not more, important than athletes.
The imagery that Fridman writes show what people believe to be nerds. People become social outcast by preferring “to read books rather than play football”(20-21). These images evoke the nerds versus jocks scene. Fridman says that these kids, who have different things they enjoy, become “social outcasts”. Fridman defends nerds by writing the image of “the bright kid with thick glasses from kindergarten to the grave”(31-32). Fridman shows, in this image, what he believes happens to these kids who get bullied for liking other things. He defends them by bringing to light to terrible way these “nerds” are treated. This image of a kid from “kindergarten to graveyard” shows the seriousness of this issue and how early it affects kids.
Fridman brings his argument to an end by using rhetorical question to further support himself. Fridman writes the point of “how can a country where typical parents are ashamed of their daughter studying mathematics instead of going to dance(...) be expected to compete in the technology race with Japan…?(47-52). Fridman defends nerds by expressing the importance of the nerds in the development of a country. This rhetorical question emphasizes that importance. He further states this point by asking “how long can America remain a world-class power it we constantly emphasize social skills and physical prowess over academic achievement and intellectual ability?”(53-56). Fridman shows that America cannot sustain world-class power without a change emphasis on “nerds”.
Fridman defends “nerds” because he knows the importance of country advancements. He defends “nerds” with imagery, comparison, and rhetorical question.