Ted Talk

Eddie Jaku: A Holocaust Survivor's Blueprint for Happiness

Quotes that stuck out to me:

• "My dear new friends ... (Laughter) My name is Eddie Jaku, and I'm standing in front of you today, a survivor of the Holocaust and a witness of the most tragic times in the history of mankind." (Ethos) 
• "I lost my dignity, my freedom, and my faith in humanity. I lost everything I lived for. I was reduced from a man to being nothing." (Pathos) 
• "I did not have a chance to say goodbye to my beloved mother, and I have missed her every day of my life. If you have the opportunity today, please go home and make sure you tell your mom how much you love her. Please do this for your new friend, Eddie." (Pathos) 
• "But I'm standing here today a happy man, who enjoys life with a wonderful wife and a beautiful family. I do not hate anyone. Hate is a disease which may destroy your enemy, but will also destroy you in the process." (Pathos) 
• "Happiness does not fall from the sky; it's in your hands." (Logos) 

Eddie Jaku is a man who has seen far beyond what we all know. He is a man that has experienced the tragedies of World War II and the mass slaughter of his own people, just for being Jewish. Jaku talks about the battles he has survived from the Holocaust-- the burning of his home, the death of his dog, the camps he was taken to, and the loss of his parents. As he tells the story of each new challenge, he shares all the darkness within that moment. Jaku discusses the horrors that haunt humanity and have many of us wondering again and again how someone could treat another in the way he was treated-- in the way Jews were treated. But after each new challenge and after each fight against all odds, Eddie Jaku talks of hope. He speaks of his miraculous survival, his wife and kids, and the happiness he has reclaimed from life. This Ted Talk is about valuing what you have and taking a moment to be grateful for the light in your life. Eddie Jaku proclaims that hope and happiness can never be lost, even in the darkest of times. Through his talk, he offers advice to his audience of how they should focus on their personal happiness and reclaim it themselves if lost. 

Jaku alone, just standing before the audience, a smile on his face is an inspirational image. But his words, heartfelt and filled with a deep rooted passion, stir up emotions far beyond just inspiration. This particular talk relied on the combination of ethos and pathos. I personally, do not think Eddie was trying to persuade the incidence in any way-- but rather share what he himself has learned through his troubles. The ethos of the matter, is that of personal experience. Eddie Jaku is a Holocaust survivor who first hand went through all of which he describes. There is no greater reliability than that of personal experience. If he, a man who has gone through all of that hardship-- most likely the worst of humankind-- can end up happy, than it must be true everyone else can as well. Through this perspective, the audience hangs on to each word and story he has to tell. Eddie Jaku has seen more and felt more than all of us can imagine, and through this, the audience puts great stock in his words. 

The pathos comes along with each story. As he begins his story, starting with when he was first taken from his home, he recalls specific details and emotions with each memory. Jaku brings in his senses at the time to develop the imagery of these memories, because to him, they are just as clear as ever. This helps the audience connect to what he is saying by being able to imagine it themselves. The pure horror that comes from each hardship, and the questions on human nature that arise from it, create a deep emotional reaction for most audience members. As we listen, we become attached to Eddie Jaku and his story. With each new piece of information, we sympathize more and more with him, truly experiencing heartache for what he, and many others, had to experience. It is, however, the hope at the end of each story that really triggers the emotional reaction. As an audience, we want nothing but happiness for Jaku and peace of mind. So when he explains that he has both, the feeling one gets is hard to put into words. It is the most heartwarming feeling of all because if anyone deserves happiness, it is someone like Eddie Jaku. 

The advice he gives is simple and logical. It is straightforward and wholesome. He wants us to be grateful-- to love and appreciate our friends and family. He wants us to stop and admire the world we have and all the happiness that comes with it. But most importantly, Jaku wants us to take happiness into our own hands. This use of logos is within this simple message. It is one no one can deny, especially not from someone like Eddie Jaku. He combines this logic, with the credibility from his life experience, to push advice onto his audience that they will likely take to heart. 

I would safety bet each member of that audience left feeling different, changed in some way. Eddie Jaku is able to effectively give such a powerful Ted Talk through the blending of all three of these elements-- but above all, through the kindness in his own heart and the love he has to share. 

I picked this Ted Talk within about twenty seconds of reading all the titles. At first, I was drawn in by the man on the front-- Eddie. I have always had a love of old people and his smile just radiated joy. When I read the title, I absolutely knew I had to watch it. Happiness to me is my whole goal in life. I have spent a lot of time in my own personal darkness, just like Eddie, on a different scale. Through that darkness, I have found what I believe to be the beginnings of my own light in life-- my own happiness. I wanted to watch this Ted Talk because I felt if Eddie Jaku could find himself happy after all he went through, I certainly could. I have to admit, I bawled the entire time I watched the video and wrote this blog. Simply because the subject of happiness hits close to home and as an individual, I sympathize deeply for others. Just like those audience members, I can say that the Ted Talk did change me in some way and my friend, Eddie Jaku, helped me see the light a little more clearly. 

Jekyll and Hyde

Image Citation

Excerpt Character Analysis 

Mr. Hyde
"He is not easy to describe. There is something wrong with his appearance; something displeasing, something downright detestable. I never saw a man I so disliked, and yet I scarce know why. He must be deformed somewhere; he gives a strong feeling of deformity, although I couldn't specify a point. He's an extraordinary looking man, and yet I really can name nothing out of the way" (Stevenson 5).

Through this description of Mr. Hyde, his physical appearance reflects the personality he is associated with throughout the story. Not only is he of a lower class, and therefore ugly and dis-likable, but he is different from the average person-- deformed. He rubs off negatively on those who encounter him because his behaviors are cruel and stun those who observe them. The fact that he is hard to describe and place concrete details brings in the gothic theme. This causes the readers to fear someone that is less human and represents more of a monster of sorts that they wouldn't be able to recognize. It also brings in the element of the uncanny. The general reaction to Mr. Hyde represents how many upper class members would feel on those of the lower class and the changes within society.

Dr. Jekyll
"To this rule, Dr. Jekyll was no exception; and as he now sat on the opposite side of the fire-- a large, well-made, smooth-faced man of fifty, with something of a stylish cast perhaps, but every mark of capacity and kindness-- you could see by his looks that he cherished for Mr. Utterson a sincere and warm affection. "I have been wanting to speak to you, Jekyll," began the latter. "You know that will of yours?" A close observer might have gathered that the topic was distasteful; but the doctor carried it off gaily. "My poor Utterson," he said, "you are unfortunate in such a client. I never saw a man so distressed as you were by my will; unless it were the hide-bound pedant, Lanyon, at what he called my scientific heresies. O, I know he's a good fellow-- you needn't frown-- an excellent fellow, and I always mean to see more of him, but a hide-bound pedant for all that; an ignorant, blatant pedant. I was never more disappointed more in any man than Lanyon." "You know I never approved of it," pursued Utterson, ruthless disregarding the fresh topic. "My will? Yes, certainly, I know that," said the doctor, a trifle sharply. "You have told me so." "Well I tell you so again," continued the lawyer. "I have been learning something of young Hyde." The large handsome face of Dr. Jekyll grew pale to the very lips and there came a blackness about his eyes. "I do not care to hear more," said he. "This is a matter I thought we agreed to drop" (Stevenson 12-13).

Through this excerpt, it is modeled that physically Dr. Jekyll is well put-together, handsome, and of a high standard/class. He holds high respect and reputation within society. This description completely contrasts that of Mr. Hyde and shows the two opposite sides one man can have. The use of the dialogue conversation here and through the friendship of Utterson and Jekyll, help develop the inner personalities of the characters that aren't seen through their external masks. For instance, Jekyll is outwardly smart and respectable but inwardly struggles with what he is hiding when it comes to his relationship with Hyde. The dialogue conveys emotions lost within just detailed description and allows the audience to connect more to the characters and their behaviors. Also, through Utterson being involved in both excerpts, it shows a typical outsiders pov if in the upper class on people of their own kind vs. those in lower classes. 

Poem 

Voices: Jekyll (Lindsey) and Hyde (Abby)

Our poem’s purpose and intended effect is to portray the immediate contrast between these two characters but highlight where they relate through their shared lines. This in turn shows the duality between man by having these two characters reflect and develop one another. This poem focuses within the decision for Jekyll to leave everything to Hyde in his will before the murder of Danver. It begins to foreshadow the murder and the other events to come as both begin to unravel.

Jekyll Hyde 
It has been decided,                                                 It has been decided,

I'm leaving him everything.           I’m taking everything.

I trust him with--           He trusts me with--

All that I have and all that I am and          A fortune that takes a man out of the
all I could ever hope to be.          shadows, something that could
                             make me all I could ever hope to be.

They say I’m mad, not right in the head, They say I’m evil, a master manipulator,

It fills me with anger to the very brim                 It fills me with anger to the very brim,
How the people I hold close, beat me down. How the upper class beats me thin.

Soon they will see my side too, Soon I will be one of them too,
Look out, Look out,
I’m waiting for you. I’m coming for you.