Critique on "Let There Be Dark" by Paul Bogard

In his article, “Let There Be Dark”, Paul Bogard argues that natural darkness should be preserved. Bogard’s argument is built on his appeal to a diverse scale of benefits natural darkness has to offer; he strengthens his plea by employing facts, a personal anecdote, and a persuasive tone. Bogard brings his article to an end on a positive note, with a tone of hope that encourages his readers to take action. Bogard begins his article with a personal anecdote, inviting his readers to remember a similar memory. The author appeals to the readers emotions with his nostalgic story by igniting a sense of loss and agony within them.

In addition, to metaphors such as “sugary spreads of stars” to extenuate the beauty of the stars, a “blanket of light” to emphasize on the abundance of light, and the simile “light pollution is like the bulldozer of the night” to highlight the damaging effects of light pollution. We are then provided with hard facts and statistics that appeal to logic and educate us about the pros of darkness on our bodies, as well as serving to back up the authors claim by augmenting and solidifying his argument. Bogard attempts to appeal to a diverse range of audiences which gives him a chance of opening the eyes of a wider crowd. He does this by employing ethos, where he appeals to ethics and morals as a method to convince his readers; for example, using allusions to art and history that urge readers to consider the disadvantages of our reality devoured by unnatural lighting. Bogard emphasizes on the fact that darkness is indispensable to religious people, and it’s a requirement to obtain serenity and inner peace. He also poses a rhetorical question; what if there’s another Van Gogh in the world that is incapable of fulfilling his potential because of the damaging effects of light pollution, which plants a sense of fear in readers, specifically adults fearing the loss of their children’s creativity.

Bogard does not stop at the disadvantage’s humans are exposed to, he also informs us about how unnatural lighting subjects our ecosystem to danger, which is essential to life on earth, appealing to environmentalists. Judging by the way Bogard concluded his essay, we get the sense that the purpose of the passage was to shed light on the already present solution, which makes his argument simple, practical, and meaningful. He draws out the problem, builds on it, but in the end, he offers reassurance that there’s still hope to change and become better.

Works Cited

1. Bogard, P. (2012). Let there be dark. The Atlantic, 310(4), 62-71.
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