Topic 8 - Discourse structure and point of view > Ideological viewpoint > Task B > Our answer

Ideological viewpoint

Our answer for task B [6]

Here the idea that the two lists are contrasting terms referring to the same thing works in some cases (e.g. 'resolute'/'ruthless', 'cautious'/'cowardly') but not others (e.g. 'lion-hearts'/'paper tigers', 'young knights of the skies'/'bastards of Baghdad'). So it is much clearer here that the position of the writer is not as dispassionate and objective as he would have us believe. He has set up a pattern of contrast which he illicitly departs from. Nonetheless, there is no doubt that, although it is not a perfect analysis of the jingoistic nature of much of the British press, the oppositions in the columns in the article concerned do help us to see how ideologically biased the British press can be at times of 'national outrage'.

For a poem that makes similar points about the British tabloid press (though not specifically about the Gulf War), see 'Poet for our Times' by Carol Anne Duffy.

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