TOW #2 - China and North Korea: Nuclear Tests Highlight Complex Relationship

     Dictator Kim Jung Un and his country, North Korea, has induced tension to the rest of the world once again with the recent nuclear bomb tests. The latest experiment done on September 9th was the strongest-ever nuclear test in the nation's history. With the heighten tensions, North Korea and its bordering neighbor, China, displays the complicated relationship between the two nations. China is one of very few nations that have the ability to influence North Korea, yet the Chinese government is not denouncing the recent activities in Pyongyang. If China condemn the nuclear tests, the country would be supporting its opposition, the United States. However, China also cannot allow for continuous experiments to take place due to safety issue. Cassandra Vinograd, a reporter for NBC News, clearly illustrates this convoluted tie between China and North Korea to the American pubic through metaphors, similes, and rhetorical questions.
     Throughout her article, Vineograd utilizes figurative language to exhibit the aforementioned unique relationship. The author connects the two nations in the beginning of her article stating, "Beijing is the isolated nation's lifeline" and later on writing, "the relationship characterized by some former Chinese leaders as 'close as lips and teeth'". Rather than describing the connection between North Korea and China in a literal sense, the reporter employs metaphors and similes to vividly illustrate her claim. The purpose of her article is to 'highlight [the] complex relationship', and the best way to achieve this goal is to create a representation that the readers can easily understand. The use of rhetorical devices not only creates a clear image of the difficult situation, but also assists readers to comprehend the topic better.
    To further strengthen her purpose, Vineograd asks rhetorical questions over the course of her text. The title of the sections in her articles read "Who's provoking who?", "What are the options?", and "So now what?".  The author intentionally titles the section in this manner to make her audience connect back to the reason she wrote this piece.  By asking these broad questions, her readers dig deeper into the article and understand just how complicated the relationship is for themselves.  Hence, Cassandra Vinograd effectively informs the American population of the foreign affairs through the use of various powerful rhetorical devices.

Link: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/north-korea/china-north-korea-nuclear-tests-highlight-complex-relationship-n648691