Exploring the Text

  1. Why do you suppose Chris Hedges opens his essay with both exposition and argument? Where in the text does he shift among exposition, narration, and argument? What is the effect of shifting modes of discourse in this way?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Destruction of Culture - Exploring the Text: Why do you suppose Chris Hedges opens his essay with both exposition and argument? Where in the text does he shift among exposition, narration, and argument? What is the effect of shifting modes of discourse in this way?
  2. Note how Hedges uses transitions. For example, what is the relationship between paragraphs 12 and 13? Between 15 and 16?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Destruction of Culture - Exploring the Text: Note how Hedges uses transitions. For example, what is the relationship between paragraphs 12 and 13? Between 15 and 16?
  3. What is the effect of the highly descriptive details in paragraphs 14 and 15? Do they detract from his argument or strengthen it?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Destruction of Culture - Exploring the Text: What is the effect of the highly descriptive details in paragraphs 14 and 15? Do they detract from his argument or strengthen it?
  4. Do you agree with Hedges’s claim that “the two most important mediums that transmit information to the nation [are] the media and the schools” (para. 21)? Please explain.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Destruction of Culture - Exploring the Text: Do you agree with Hedges’s claim that “the two most important mediums that transmit information to the nation [are] the media and the schools” (para. 21)? Please explain.
  5. How do paragraphs 23–29 support the assertion Hedges makes in paragraph 22?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Destruction of Culture - Exploring the Text: How do paragraphs 23–29 support the assertion Hedges makes in paragraph 22?
  6. What does Hedges mean by culture? Provide examples to support what you think he means. What does Hedges think the purpose of culture is? Do you agree? Explain your response.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Destruction of Culture - Exploring the Text: What does Hedges mean by culture? Provide examples to support what you think he means. What does Hedges think the purpose of culture is? Do you agree? Explain your response.
  7. In paragraph 38, Hedges claims that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is important because it was funded and organized “by those who survived,” rather than by the government. Visit the National Park Service Web site for more information about the memorial. Do you agree that it offers our nation an “opportunity for redemption”? Please explain. Do you agree with Hedges’s claim that “the state has prodded us back towards the triumphalism that led us into Vietnam”? Why or why not?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Destruction of Culture - Exploring the Text: In paragraph 38, Hedges claims that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is important because it was funded and organized “by those who survived,” rather than by the government. Visit the National Park Service Web site for more information about the memorial. Do you agree that it offers our nation an “opportunity for redemption”? Please explain. Do you agree with Hedges’s claim that “the state has prodded us back towards the triumphalism that led us into Vietnam”? Why or why not?
  8. Reread the final paragraph, and then reread the quotation from Senator Hiram Johnson with which Hedges begins the chapter. How effectively has Hedges illustrated the meaning of Johnson’s assertion?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Destruction of Culture - Exploring the Text: Reread the final paragraph, and then reread the quotation from Senator Hiram Johnson with which Hedges begins the chapter. How effectively has Hedges illustrated the meaning of Johnson’s assertion?
  9. What do you think is Hedges’s most interesting or provocative statement? Why?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Destruction of Culture - Exploring the Text: What do you think is Hedges’s most interesting or provocative statement? Why?
  10. Has reading this essay affected your thinking regarding culture? Regarding war? Explain your response.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 13 - The Destruction of Culture - Exploring the Text: Has reading this essay affected your thinking regarding culture? Regarding war? Explain your response.