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Tristan Wallin
Mrs. Ludwig
English 101, MW 11:00-12:20
30 March 2016
Response-Wrath of Grapes Boycott Speech
Cesar Chavez is an invaluable figure in history; he worked to establish rights not only for
people of hispanic descent, but also fair workers rights for everybody. Chavez is even celebrated
with his own holiday and is especially important to some Californians who have established
roots in the state. On a personal level, I have the utmost respect for activists like Chavez, Martin
Luther King, and Gandhi. Individuals like these did not live on their knees, conforming to their
environment, but rather they stood up for their beliefs- sometimes costing them their lives. On
certain controversial issues like gun rights or planned parenthood, I have a strong opinion, but
not nearly strong enough to ever start a rally or campaign. Previously, I was aware of Cesar
Chavezs importance and words associated with him, like courage and activism, but I had never
actually read or heard any of his speeches. It was very interesting to read this speech and other
speeches too because a reader can truly dissect every aspect of the speech with their eyes, not
just their ears.
For example, Chavez immediately states the importance of people in the boycotts, calling
them the greatest court (Chavez, 691). He also uses the word we repeatedly to make the
audience feel united as one unit in the struggle for workers rights. Next, Chavez identifies the
target: California legislators and farm-owners. For legislators, I really noticed how Chavez used
words with a strong negative connotation in association with the opposition. Words like selfserving (Chavez 691), reckless (Chavez 691), indiscriminate (Chavez 691), and illegal

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(Chavez 691). In addition, to support his argument about the many hazardous health effects of
pesticides, Chavez cites very reputable sources like the Environmental Protection Agency and
the New York Times. Chavez relays the importance of the issue by stressing the nationwide
scope of the issue, saying the use of dangerous pesticides has radically increased in the last
decade causing illness, permanent disability, and even death (Chavez 691) which threaten[s]
lives throughout North America (Chavez 691).
After identifying the target, Chavez simplifies the whole situation for the audience,
stating, human lives are worth more than grapes (Chavez 692). Many would read this and say
duh, but this simple statement makes Chavezs argument easier to follow. Next, after laying out
the logical part of his argument, Chavez gives a real life example when consumers became ill
(Chavez 692) after eating watermelon laced with an illegal pesticide. The progression from logos
to pathos was effective because readers, like me, could understand the facts of the issue and then
see how it affects consumers. Also, on page 693 in the latter part of his speech, Chavez cites his
own experiences with individuals like Amalia Larios and Manuel Anaya, who have suffered from
the pesticide use. Finally, Chavez lays out specific demands at the end of his speech including
good faith bargaining (Chavez 694).
Overall, I found Chavezs argument very convincing because of his diction, organization,
and primarily because of how Chavez intertwines his logical argument with his emotional
argument.