Kennedy Shelton | 2024 I.S. Symposium

Name: Kennedy Shelton
Title: A Rhetorical Analysis of Chinese Netizens’ Use of Artistic Expression to Advocate for Social Change in Response to the Chained Woman Case
Major: Communication Studies; Chinese Studies
Advisor: Denise Bostdorff and Ziying You

This study aims to understand how Chinese writers, poets, and artists use artistic outlets and expression to advocate for social change regarding the treatment of women in response to the Chained Woman. Four art pieces were analyzed to further understand the use of metaphor, pathos, and perspective by incongruity in the persuasive efforts to promote social change. Recognizing China’s cyberspace is heavily monitored, Chinese citizens have used rhetorical strategies of juxtaposing incongruities to hold the government accountable for truthful information, circumvent censorship, and engage in activism. The messages crafted by citizens who were outraged by the Chained Woman incident express dissatisfaction in reference to personal emotions to exemplify the cycle of tragedy that will occur if changes are not made. Social change within Chinese society is most effective when multiple rhetorical tools are utilized and can be most useful when combined with rhetorical questions that prompt observers and readers to pause.

Posted in Symposium 2024 on April 19, 2024.