Aisha Tarin
Mr. Soeth
English 3AP
February 2, 2011


REHUGO: Analysis-Speech

A. Elie Wiesel victim of the holocaust gives his speech, "The Perils of Indifference" in the White House on April 12, 1999. Wiesel's speech talks about indifference with his own situation as an example.

B. Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel gave his speech as part of the Millennium Lecture Series. It was held in the White House in 1999 and was hosted by President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton. Wiesel delivered his speech to explain how indifference to evil, is more dangerous than anger and hatred. Showing that hatred can be creative or responsive to evil, where as indifference is never creative and can cause more harm.

C. Genocide and indifference still exists even after the holocaust. The on going racial conflict in Darfur, Sudan was declared a "genocide" in 2004 by the United States. It was said that they had no law implemented against genocide. The Darfur President has claimed to have wanted to destroy 3 tribal groups because of there ethnicity. This situation is similar to the Holocaust in that a group of Nazi's wanted to eliminate the Jewish race. Elie Wiesel's speech is trying to inform people about indifference and how we can learn from past mistakes. But, today indifference, evil and hatred still exist in some countries.

D. Rhetorical Strategies

a. Elie Wiesel uses rhetorical questions throughout his speech. Rhetorical questions are used to give the speech a persuasive effect. When he states, "Even in Suffering?" he also says the same sentence as a statement, he is trying to make a point in that God is always with you in every situation. The Jews who went through the hardship of the holocaust felt that they were being punished by God and thought an unjust God would be better than an indifferent one. He also said, "Can one possibly view indifference as a virtue?" He is addressing that some may think indifference is a virtue but, moral excellence and goodness can never be compared with indifference.

b. Repetition of indifference was used alot in Wiesel's speech. He mentions indifference throughout his speech and uses it as a way of judgment. Wiesel not only judges the evil people but asks his audience why no one tried to prevent what was going on. It makes his speech effective and gives it the possiblity to persuade the audience in a positive manner. He is able to achieve his purpose of educating his audience about the evil of indifference and for them to learn from past mistakes.

E. MLA Citation:

Wiesel, Elie. “The Perils of Indifference.” Millennium Lecture Series. Washington D.C. April 12, 1999