Primary Source Analysis
Primary sources provide first-hand information about an event. Most of the existing books or works of literature were ones obtained from primary sources. The vital primary sources known include; photographs, sketches, diaries, newspapers, letters, court case records, and music. For instance, history is built by the gathering of primary sources. Moreover, most of the primary sources are full of jargon and very dense. Most of the primary source provides the real information of the event as it happened. However, as the sources are presented in the secondary sources, they are summarized. This paper provides an analysis of a primary source; Irish potato famine by focusing on the author and the message the author presents.
To begin, the primary source of focus is the one on Irish Potato Famine. The source for the information is from an account of an eyewitness. The author of the source intends to illustrate the potato famine that had struck in Ireland that led to the loss of life of very many people. The famine was a result of the potato blight that struck the potato crop leading to starvation that depopulated Ireland. The author starts by describing the depopulated nation whose children, men and women have died out starvation. Likewise, the author also reveals that poverty has sharply struck the place to the extent that people can’t even afford coffins to bury the dead. The author uses various styles to communicate his message about the potato famine. In the first place, he provides first-hand information on what he was witnessing himself. He explains how he moved from house to house, trying to make a record of what had happened.
Moreover, the author argues that the potato famine that struck Ireland lend to the death of several people and also increased the level of poverty in the region. Further, the author uses facts to tell the exact happening in the scenario. Similarly, the author uses specific details such as pointing on the number of deaths, the nature of deaths, and the age of the affected. The author’s argument is very touching and creates various emotions among the readers of the article. For instance, the presentation lives me in sorrow as I sympathize with the affected. Lastly, the author’s presentation seems to be persuading the audience on the Irish potato famine and wants the audience to agree on how the potato blight led to starvation that saw multiple people succumb.
Besides, from the text, it is evident that the author is also one of the survivors of the famine. This is because he was present in the entire period during the occurrence of the scene. As well, the author states that what he was seeing was not what he used to see some moments before the disaster struck the area. These statements, therefore, mean that the author was present before and after the occurrence of the scene at the same place. The background of the author seems to be the driving force that made him take a record of what happened.
On the other hand, the text indicates that there were two classes of people in the areas that were struck. For instance, some of the corpses cannot be buried with coffins, while others are buried naked because their rags were used to cover others who were living. The author also points out that the coffins were only meant for rich people. To add, the primary source can be used to answer questions such as; what were the effects of the Irish potato on the population? However, the source cannot answer a question like; What was the cause of starvation?
In conclusion, the author of the primary source presents an Irish Potato famine that led to the death of several people. The author carefully communicates his message to persuade the audience. Death, poverty, and social classes are some of the key themes present in the text.
Works Cited
- Stewart Trench, Realities of Irish Life (London: Longmans, Green, 1847).
Conclusion
Restate your sub-themes.Write any closing comments.