I am getting married in less than three weeks. This is probably one of the biggest things I will ever do in my life. At a personal level, the rhetorical implications in getting married are varied and complex: this implies partnership, sharing a life, and an overall message that implies we (husband and wife) belong to each other and no one is allowed to impose on that bond.
On a grander scale, marriage is a cultural symbol, old in history. It’s been credited with maintaining social and family structure, affirming roles between man and woman, and setting the rules of engagement for relationships. It has also been used through time as a dramatic catalyst to many stories of love, betrayal, and more, further implementing the roles between husband and wife in popular culture.
As I write this blog, I am realizing how many options I have for looking at marriage: it’s possible to analyze marriage through the feminist perspective, or a media-centered perspective. There is also the option to pick a text about marriage, and specifically analyze the presented story through a narrative or dramatist perspective. The medium I chose to explore would be a strong determining factor in how I interpret the rhetorical message being presented.
As a subject, marriage can also be looked at from many stand points. Politically, it is a relevant subject where an opportunity for a kairotic moment can be taken. The fact that gay marriage is such a popular topic in the present political atmosphere proves that marriage is an important aspect to American culture. Divorce rates are higher than ever; and although women still face sexism, the feminist movement has contributed to a shift in the attitude of women and their role as a “house-wife.”
Once I decide on the text, I can determine the perspective for my rhetorical analysis, which will influence the research I do for this paper. Along with research, I can rely on my own personal experience to elevate my own use of rhetoric. Since I am getting married soon, it could benefit my perceived ethos (unless an audience member doesn’t agree with marriage, than my ethos would be decreased). I will enforce a strong sense of logos through research and analysis, and I hope to invoke some emotional response (marriage could be romantic, tragic, and a topic of personal sensitivity to some) creating an appeal to pathos.
Before I wrote this blog, I was really at a loss as to what subject to write about. Since I am getting married on the 27th, all I have time to think about is work, school, getting married, and going on the honeymoon (I can’t wait to go on vacation!!), I started off writing to be able to turn in the blog. However, now that I got the opportunity to critically analyze all the directions I can take on this subject, I think it I stumbled onto to my topic of choice. I am more excited to learn about some of the historical, and rhetorical aspects to marriage; who knows, maybe this can maybe give me some insight as to my own marriage.
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