Essay Fundamentals

1. Rittenberg captures the attention of the reader by stating his age. It establishes who he is and what his perspective may be. It also causes the reader to identify with him, because almost anyone old enough to like reading NPR can relate to being a teenager.

2. RIttenberg mentions bygone wars and illness, which he later likens to contemporary issues like the turmoil in the Middle East and disease in Africa.

 

3.  The author refers to the changes modern times have brought; trips to the moon, vaccines, etc. He thinks that technology will continue to benefit us, unlike the author of “Imperfect Traces.”

 

4. The title is full of the optimism Rittenberg holds. It also ties back into the theme of his essay, that dark days have fallen upon us before, to be persevered over. His father holds the belief that today is a dark day, and Rittenberg emphasizes that they will be overcome as they have been before.