1. How do Mr Trippler’s and Mr Cocker’s views differ?
Mr Trippler supports the “rough play” and the assault by claiming that such tactics are part of the game. He criticises the commentators’ stance. In contrast Mr Croker believes that the assault was an unnecessary or a gratuitous act of violence and shames those who play and watch the sport.
2. Find examples of Mr Trippler’s language features.
i. inclusive words/ generalisation: “We all know that it’s a man’s game”;
ii. words with positive connotations / euphemisms: the “incident”; “attention”; the assault is simply the consequence of the “impact nature of the sport”; and
iii. appeal to tradition: it has been a “man’s game” for the past “50 years”.
Mr Trippler uses positive terms to praise those who enjoy the “man’s game”. He appeals to tradition and the “spirit of the game” to support his argument that football should be played in a rough and manly manner. Euphemisms such as “attention” and “incident” have positive connotations and deliberately downplay the nature of the assault. Depicting AFL football as stereotypically a “man’s game”, offensively assumes that only men can tolerate the rough nature of football. It seems this writer deliberately employs this generalisation to consolidate support among (male) football supporters.
3. Words relating to those who complain:
i. exclusive/ colloquial terms to attack opponents: It is a “man’s game”; “wusses”; “cry babies”;
ii. figurative expression: “bubble-wrapped cry babies”; and
iii. indignant and exasperated tone: “If you’re so distressed, put your tissues away and watch lawn bowls instead.”
Mr Trippler deliberately uses harmful and offensive language to isolate the “wusses” and sooks” who complain about the harsh treatment meted out to Nick Riewoldt. He also uses a figurative expression such as “bubble wrapped cry babies” to suggest that those who complain are weak-willed and over-emotional. Such opponents are further threatened and demeaned by the exclusive use of the second person pronoun, “you”, as in “if you can’t take it, don’t watch it”. The purpose of these terms is to shame those whom he believes are not capable of enjoying football the way he thinks it should be played.
Summary of new words:
- Contemptuous/derogatory/denigrating tone
- Pejorative/exclusive terms/language
- To discredit, decry, condemn
- Purpose – shame, belittle, discourage
Adopting a contemptuous/derogatory tone, Mr Tippler discredits the spectators and viewers. He uses pejorative terms such as “wusses” and “sooks” to imply that they are emotionally fragile. Such terms seek to inflame /exacerbate the heated discussion or provoke an angry reaction. They also seek to belittle them and discourage them from voicing their dissatisfaction which he believes will detract from the “spirit” of the game.
Mr Crocker : decries,condemns..: Mr Crocker decries the dismissive and euphemistic response of the commentators.
Condone/does not condone: (adopting an incredulous tone), He condemns the commentators because they are condoning the brutality/severity of the assault
Isolate and shame
Compare and contrast sentences
- If Mr Trippler takes a dismissive and defensive approach to the assault, Mr Crocker is much more censorious in his attitude to the unsportsmanlike behaviour.
- Whereas Mr Trippler downplays the brutality of the incident, Mr Crocker believes that it was clearly an assault-related charge.
Some points of comparison:
Exasperated tone; both authors are exasperated and frustrated/critical but for different reasons.
If Mr Crocker adopts an exasperated tone to refer the minimisation of the assault, Mr Trippler is exasperated because of the emotionally-fragile response of the spectators.
- Both use shaming tactics – moral appeal – good/bad – (adopting the high moral ground); judgemental tone, high-minded – upstanding/ upright
- Mr Trippler shames the viewers because they are being soft-hearted; (nominal) Mr Trippler shames the viewers because of their soft-hearted response.
- Mr Crocker is ashamed of the manipulation of / erosion of the “spirit” of the game and the brutality …
- (nominal) if Mr Trippler shames the viewers because of their soft-hearted response, Mr Crocker, contrastingly, shames the commentators’ dismissive attitude to the assault.
Return to Now Turn To Exercises Page
Return to Homework Page