TOW 26 - Gardening for Climate Change (James Barilla)

Goldenrod - a plant Barilla often speaks of
(http://www.gpnc.org/images/jpegs/plants/goldenrod_.jpg)

In every corner of the world, in every moment of history, there has always a divide of between social classes. Social mobility is not available to everyone, but many do have the ability to leave in search of a fresh start – including plants. James Barilla’s opinion editorial provides a crafty commentary on the effects of nonnative species, and although he only strictly comments on the nature of gardening, the reader can speculate from his text that there is deeper meaning. Through his two-part arrangement, shifting tone, and central metaphor Barilla urges the audience to embrace inevitable change of people, environment, and lifestyle.

            Barilla’s argument consists of the extended metaphor and then the ambiguous ending, allowing the audience to draw their own conclusions. The beginning creates a situation takes a complex situation and simplifies it to gardening. The audience can understand this issue and is less likely to oppose any controversial statements because it seems to be such a humble subject. Then when Barilla makes a more general statement at the end the audience cannot refute it: since readers can understand his argument earlier, they are less likely to disagree when it is applied to society with the same logic.

            Constantly shifting his tone from objective to troubled, throughout his text Barilla creates different appeals to his audience and different levels of understanding. He presents facts to the audience revealing his credibility and elaborates on the repercussions revealing his humanity. The audience can understand the circumstances and then why they are important to each person.

            Overall the metaphor Barilla uses is extremely powerful in its ability to convey a deeper message. Plants are one of the most complex and revered organisms on this planet as are humans; the comparison between the two shows that if plants must adapt to new situations then it is probable that humans must eventually as well.

            Barilla never directly relates his discussion of plants to the natural state of humans. All he says that creates this relation is, “We need to start thinking not just about what used to be, but what could be.” Barilla is urging us to let go of strict habits and customs, with no room for growth and innovation, and to embrace our future: the uncertain nature of certain change.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/04/opinion/sunday/gardening-for-climate-change.html?rref=opinion&module=Ribbon&version=origin&region=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Opinion&pgtype=article