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Bystander Effect Argument

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Bystander Effect Argument
The Bystander’s Fire
Indifference empowers wickedness to flourish in our society. The speech “The Perils of Indifference”, by Elie Wiesel and the article, “The Murder of Kitty Genovese”, by Linda Melazzo both argue that a bystander’s actions play a huge part in an evil situation. They show the problems bystanders have triggered while describing the positive effects of people who took action during the situation. Both authors show how the only way to stop tragic events from occurring again is to speak up above the silent observers. The authors use ethos, logos, and pathos to persuade readers into never being a bystander during disturbing times, and instead, take action for your morals.
Elie Wiesel and Linda Melazzo show their righteousness by describing their morals and outlooks on life to their readers; this gives the reader a sense of trust and care. Elie Wiesel, believes that “good things have also happened in this traumatic century” (Wiesel), despite experiencing the horrors of the holocaust. Elie’s forgiving nature portrays him as a good role model. His ethics on kindness and love persuade readers to continue his request on never being a bystander. Wiesel wants us to prevent the tragic events he experienced by following his kind morals instead of staying silent. In the article, “The Murder of Kitty Genovese”, Linda Melazzo states how she will always “refuse to indulge in the Bystander Effect” because she “won’t live in the guilt of inaction” after what she learned as a “lesson from the murder of Kitty Genovese” (Melazzo). Melazzo persuades readers to never fall into the bystanders effect by stating her principles during a tragic situation. Her guilt of inaction shows that she’s a person who has feelings if she fails to help someone in need, instead of an indifferent person who feels nothing when others are hurt. Readers will be motivated to take action during hard times, just like the author. Both authors use ethos to portray their kindness and willpower

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