NCHS AP English Language

CH. 3 Bob Dylan Argument

Written by: Caroline Ward

People attempt to use the strengths and weaknesses of other people to achieve what they want. Chapter 3 of Bob Dylan and Philosophy: "Who killed Medgar Evans?" examines one situation in which Byron de la Beckwith is used for his somewhat naive attitude. Beckwith is a pawn because the white elitist politicians persuade him to kill Medgar Evans. He pulled the trigger, but he probably would not have if the higher officials had not influenced him. The widely-known film Zoolander starring Ben Stiller and Will Ferrell serves as an anology to this complicated and grave racist matter. In the movie, Stiller's character Derek Zoolander is brainwashed by Ferrell's character Mugatu to kill the prime minister of Malaysia. Derek plans on going through with it, not because he feels strongly but because of Mugatu's persuasion. Both Beckwith and Zoolander supply their suppressors with an easy way to accomplish their task without getting too involved. Some people may declare that Beckwith had every right to deny his allegiance to the white elitists and therefore protect Evans' life. This is not the case. Beckwith would have felt like even more of an outsider; peer pressure does not stop after adolescence. In this particular situation, Beckwith is a pawn to the superior plan.

posted by NCHS AP English Language III @ 9:01 AM