Emotional Persuasion in “Blackfish”: an Examination of Pathos

Introduction

The documentary "Blackfish," directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, dives deep into the rough treatment of orcas in captivity. It zooms in on SeaWorld and the sad tale of the orca Tilikum. Since its release in 2013, the film has stirred up a lot of feelings and sparked debates about keeping marine mammals in tanks. One major way "Blackfish" grabs our attention is through pathos, or emotional appeal. The film pulls at our heartstrings with personal stories, powerful images, and scenes of suffering orcas.

All this is meant to make us feel something and push the message that something's gotta change. In this essay, I'll look at how "Blackfish" uses pathos to sway public opinion and call for action.

Personal Stories from Ex-Trainers

One big example of pathos in "Blackfish" is the personal stories from ex-SeaWorld trainers. These stories really hit home emotionally. Take John Hargrove, for example. He used to be a senior trainer at SeaWorld. He talks about how close he got to the orcas and the emotional pain he felt seeing them in distress. His voice even cracks when he talks about the orcas' suffering. You can't help but feel for him and the animals. These stories make the trainers seem more human and show the tough moral questions around keeping orcas in tanks. By sharing these personal accounts, "Blackfish" makes a strong emotional connection between viewers and those who've seen the orcas' struggles up close.

Powerful Visual Contrasts

Another strong tool in "Blackfish" is the use of powerful images to tug at our emotions. The film shows orcas doing weird, sad things like floating still at the water's surface or biting the walls of their tanks. Then, it cuts to orcas in the wild, swimming freely and socializing. This sharp contrast makes us feel sad and angry about the orcas' captivity. Plus, the film shows graphic footage of trainers getting attacked, pointing out the dangers and ethical problems of keeping such strong, smart animals in tiny spaces. These visual elements are picked to hit us hard emotionally. They make sure we feel the injustice and don't just understand it on a factual level.

Tilikum's Tragic Journey

Tilikum's story is at the heart of "Blackfish's" emotional appeal. Tilikum, an orca linked to the deaths of three people, has a tragic life story. The film shows his journey from being captured in the wild to years of being cooped up and mishandled. It looks at his psychological pain, showing how isolation and bad treatment led to his aggressive behavior. Interviews with experts and footage of Tilikum looking sad with a bent dorsal fin make us feel sympathy and anger. The filmmakers show Tilikum's change from a majestic wild orca to a troubled captive, making us question if it's right to keep orcas in tanks. By telling Tilikum's sad story, "Blackfish" uses pathos to shake up what we think and push for change.

Conclusion

"Blackfish" does a great job using pathos to get its audience engaged and persuaded. Through emotional stories, strong images, and the sad tale of Tilikum, it sheds light on the ethical issues of keeping orcas in tanks. The emotional pull of the film helps raise awareness and creates a sense of urgency for change. By connecting with viewers on a deep emotional level, "Blackfish" goes beyond just being a documentary. It becomes a strong tool for advocacy and social change. The film's emotional impact has played a big role in the growing movement against keeping marine mammals in captivity. It shows how powerful pathos can be in shaping public opinion and pushing for new laws and company policies. In the end, "Blackfish" proves that by touching our hearts as well as our minds, documentaries can be powerful agents for change on important ethical issues.

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