I Am Blue

Rhetorical Analysis “I Am Blue” by: Alice Walker

The relationship between man and animals is very similar to the relationships that we as humans share. Most of the time we ignore the connection or just disbelief there really is something. It is sad to think that humans have strayed so far away from reality that we forget our God given gifts.

Alice Walker in her essay described a horse she owned named Blue. This horse had a sense of connection with her and they way she saw him every day. Many times she would go to her flourishing apple trees and feed the horse graciously because she new how much Blue loved them. As she became more attached with Blue she started to realize the emotions that the horse was feeling. She noticed: anger, depression, loneliness, and many others. Soon she became to realize that animals are in many ways just as smart as humans are in the reality that we share the same emotions.

Alice also started thinking about the connection with humans and animals in a more of a historical point of view. She thought to her ancestors and the tortures of slavery. She mainly noticed this when Blue had been given a mate and then she had been taken away from him surprisingly without warning. From this experience she thought of what kind of look a person would give if their loved one would be taken away? From that moment she made such a connection with blue that she deeply felt sorry for the poor creature and decided to follow up more into animal rights.

Personally I have never really thought about the issue of animal rights and our connection with them through nature. I do understand the sense of connection between animals and wanting things to be equal for them just as they are for ourselves but I do have to protest. I feel that God gave us animals as a gift and is helpful to us in many other ways past the bonds of companionship. For example: Alice spoke of the effects of beef and cows and to be honest that does not bother me in the least. I think God created the cow just for the soul purpose to feed as many people as possible.

It is too bold to be able for us as humans to really decide what the purpose for animals to be. I understand Alice Walkers position in the matter and I respect her opinion, but truly it is not our decision. There is a purpose for everything and I hope that we discover it some day.