In “The Pearls of Indifference,” the author employs logos, or logical reasoning, to convey the gravity of the historical event in question—the turning away of nearly 1,000 Jewish refugees by the MS St. Louis in 1939. By referencing specific historical facts and events, the author aims to make a compelling argument about the consequences of indifference to human suffering.
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Historical Context: The mention of "60 years ago" situates the discussion in a specific time frame, appealing to the audience's sense of historical awareness. This creates a logical connection between past actions and their implications.
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Specific Events: The references to "Kristallnacht," the state-sponsored pogrom, the destruction of Jewish shops, the burning of synagogues, and the imprisonment of thousands in concentration camps serve as evidence of the intense persecution faced by Jews. By providing concrete examples, the author strengthens the logical foundation of the argument that urgent action was needed during this time.
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Chronology and Cause-and-Effect: The sequence of events presented highlights a clear progression from rising anti-Semitic violence to a lack of intervention (such as turning away the MS St. Louis). This underscores the fatal consequences of inaction and indifference, making it clear that the refusal to accept the Jewish refugees directly contributed to their fate.
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Emphasis on Numbers: The specific number of nearly 1,000 Jewish refugees serves to quantify the human cost of indifference. This numerical detail helps the audience to grasp the scale of the tragedy and emphasizes that these were not just abstract figures, but real lives affected by decisions.
By using these logical appeals, the passage underscores the critical moral implications of indifference in the face of humanitarian crises. The cumulative effect of these logical arguments is to persuade the audience of the importance of recognizing and addressing such issues to prevent similar tragedies in the future.