TOW#5- "This Won't Hurt A Bit"

            While browsing through a social media page, I came across this eye- opening picture. This visual text was used by a vegan journalist, who uses photo-shopped images of women wearing makeup to convince other women to stop purchasing from cosmetic companies that brutally test on animals. Through the use of imagery, perspective, and pathos, the journalist arouses the emotion of readers.

            Without an explanation of what animal testing is like, the picture itself describes the violence that it contains. The bloody and swollen face of once a beautiful woman is attention seeking, emphasizing the brutal effects of animal testing if it was done on human. When I first encountered this photo, I was scared to find out how undeniably cruel animal testing was. It was an eye- opening experience to see the true story on behalf of tested animals.

            Although many pictures that argue against animal testing often portray poorly treated animals, this journalist used a different point of view to make women into victims of the violence. This change in perspectives allows women to relate personally more than the picture of abused animals. Not only that, but his change in perspective evokes guilt and anger for the readers.

            The journalist uses pronoun such as “you” to emotionally approach to the readers. Even though it is hard to sympathize abused animals, this picture of blistered woman evokes sympathy and even guilt as it allows the readers to reflect on human’s poor choice of actions.

            Overall, this dark and cruel piece is shocking to many, and the guilty feeling is what makes this text effective in raising awareness of violence that takes place in animal testing and in persuading women to avoid buying animal tested products.