A Rhetorical Analysis of James Ladsen and Joseph Epstein - Essay Example

Section/# Hubris and Age: A Rhetorical Analysis of James Ladsen and Joseph Epstein The ancient Greek philosophers understood hubris as something of an affront to the gods. In terms of a simplistic definition, hubris can be defined as tempting to face; or otherwise thumbing one’s nose at that which is already predetermined. Whereas it is true that pre-determinism does not have an active place in the American subconscious, unless of course one speaks about Presbyterian circles, this ancient Greek term for insolence and arrogance to fate plays a powerful role with respect to the way in which current culture is defined and practiced. Essentially, the culture that exists within the United States, and to a large part around the globe as a result of globalization, can be understood as one that places a fundamental level of importance on maintaining youth and vitality; even at ages in which these are all but an unrealistic hope. Accordingly, the following analysis will seek to engage the reader with a rhetorical response to Ladsen’s “The Natural Order” as it relates to the idea of hubris. Likewise, this rhetorical response will be compared and contrasted with Joseph Epstein’s essay “Perpetual Adolescence”. Through such a level of analysis, it is the hope of this author that the reader will come to gain a more valuable and nuanced interpretation for why our current culture is so fixated on the idea of perpetual youthfulness; and whether or not this is a positive or negative attribute. Firstly, in terms of Ladsen’s story, entitled “The Natural Order”, the author represents the internal and external dialogue that is taking place between a middle-aged married man and one of his longtime best friends. The middle-aged married man is indicative of what might be termed as a “conservative”. In this way, he lives a regulated life, was married at a relatively young age, works in an established field, and has at least partially raised his children. By means of contrast in comparison, the individual that he is analyzing and considering, in terms of his own life, is most certainly what one might define as a “liberal” or a “free spirit”. Accordingly, his friend is nothing short of a middle-aged playboy; seeking to bed as many women as possible within the shortest period of time. Recognizing the fact that he is a temporal being and has a limited life to live, the friend is represented as an individual that seeks to take the most out of life. By means of contrast, the more conservative individual is represented as an individual that is complaisant to his station in life. In much the same way that Dylan Thomas wrote a poem concerning “rage against the dying of the light”, Ladsen’s playboy character appears to take this to heart as a raison d’etre for continuing to behave as a 20 something year old male; even though this time has long since passed in his life (Thomas 1). Although clearly the view of the playboy character is faulty and indicative of many immoral or otherwise unhealthy attitudes that are pervasive within current society, his friend, the family man, questions whether or not he should revere him and whether or not the choices that he has made thus far in life are correct and reasonable (Ladsen 31). In this way, Ladsen provides the reader with their own crisis of faith; leaving them to wonder whether hubris against old age is beneficial or whether it makes a mockery of the human condition and the gradual progression of old age and death. A very different view of the aging process and hubris relating to old age/death is represented within Joseph Epstein’s essay entitled, “The Perpetual Adolescent”. Within this particularly political polemic, Epstein indicates the fact that the culture of the United States has become essentially hijacked to the allure of youthfulness; regardless of the cost. According to Epstein, this cost is represented not only in terms of monetary value but also in terms of the absurd way in which culture has shifted to esteem youthfulness as a superior attribute as compared to almost any other. Recollecting upon the fact that individuals in the 1940s and 50s were regularly attend baseball stadiums dressed in suits, ties, and the doors, Epstein indicates that a gradual decay in culture and the desire to maintain youthfulness at any cost has created a culture in which individuals are perfectly satisfied with attending any event, inclusive of even weddings and funerals, dressed as nothing more than slobs (Epstein 2). Whereas it is true that Epstein makes a valuable point, it is one that is in direct conflict with those which Ladsen presented. Essentially, Epstein believes that the entire process and desire for eternal youth, as represented within fashion, media, and the culture at large, is a travesty and reduces the value and importance of adulthood commensurately; whereas the reader is left to question whether or not it is a beneficial process and one that prior generations might have “gotten wrong” within Ladsen’s piece. Ultimately, the two distinct views which have been discussed within the analysis thus far are of course indicative of the way in which old age is either revered or the way in which it is avoided at all costs. Epstein would have the reader to believe that the preoccupation with maintaining youthfulness equates to a mentally undeveloped person that shortchanges themselves by a literal addiction to the superficial. By means of contrast in comparison, Ladsen’s piece would encourage the reader to reconsider whether or not the norms of the aging process, as has been defined for each and every generation since the Dawn of human existence, are in fact still relevant to the way in which individuals understand their own fate and their roles within society. At any rate, either piece is beneficial as it provides a more challenging and deeper commentary into the way that society understands the temporal nature of humanity and seeks to justify this with the ultimate meaning of life. Regardless, neither of these authors provides a meaningful discussion into how the meaning of life relates to one’s determination to become either a stoic or an Epicurean in terms of seeking out eternal youth or accepting one’s fate. Works Cited Dylan, Thomas. "Do not go gentle into that good night | Academy of American Poets."poets.org | Academy of American Poets. N.p., 10 Jan. 2011. Web. 16 Oct. 2014. Epstein, Joseph. "The Perpetual Adolescent | The Weekly Standard." The Weekly Standard | A Weekly Conservative Magazine and Blog of News and Opinion. N.p., 12 Apr. 2012. Web. 16 Oct. 2014. Lasdun, James. Its beginning to hurt. London: Vintage, 2010. Print. Read More