Different Worlds, Same Attitude

            The art of persuasion is a talent not everyone can obtain. One may learn how to use it but is never going to be naturally inclined as those who were born to lead others and utilize words as a tool to change people’s minds. So is the case of two much-mentioned figures that, for obvious reasons, have the attention of the media; however, if one thinks about them, they will not ever be put it in the same category, although in this article are view from the same lenses.

In his article titled “Clash of the Populists”, Mr. Ross Douthat successfully writes about how two people from completely different worlds can have the same focus and apply the same techniques to appeal to the public.

            They are the attraction, and we are the spectators. To be honest, we like the show that is presented in this worldwide circus. This is why the author is writing about the topic in first place. The article begins with cynicism, mentioning the books of the Bible (Daniel, Revelation and Necronomicon) which predicts that “the Man in White must do battle with the Combed-Over Titan, amid the ravening shrieks of Twitter and beneath the unblinking eye of Cable News.” (Douthat para 1). Right off the bat it is noticed that the article is not for any kind of audience because the reader needs to have religious background or at least an overall knowledge of what the Bible says to understand its sarcasm. Though, it is noticeable that this article is not read by any kind of audience but for more educated and older generation, interested either in politics or religion, sometimes both. Therefore, the author effectively reaches the audience by providing context and sarcasm at the same time.

However, in the next paragraph, when the author explains the meaning of the ‘joke,’ it does not have the same reach as the original because it lacks of the causticness of the first idea. It is also curious the word choice he makes when referring to the non-religious people as “less mystically inclined” (Douthat para 2), taking into consideration the one who writes the article is conservative, whose focus is mostly on religion. Consequently, by this word choice the article obtains the appearance of a non-biased writing and it accomplishes the mission of being open for readers of all opinions.

Mr. Douthat makes a marvelous transition moving from the sarcasm to a more serious and informative stance, amplifying how the whole drama between the Pope Francis and presidential candidate Donald Trump began. That is when the two of them exchanged insults.  The word the author utilizes is ‘war,’ exaggerating the context to obtain a bigger impact on the reader.

Then he explains the obvious reasons why the two men collided into the drama, highlighting the differences between them: “The celibate and the lecher, the ascetic and the billionaire, the mystic and the frank materialist.” (Douthat para 5) With these examples the author introduce us to the point he wants the reader to understand, which is that even though Trump and Francis may look at first sight like oil and water, they have components in common.

It is fascinating how for every motive Mr. Douthat provides about how the Pope and Trump are so dissimilar, he also gives reasons of why they are also strangely alike. And it is not only because both are world leaders, public figures, media attraction, but because the way they challenge their surroundings and the groups they belong. Therefore, the author catches the attention of the reader by writing accurate and in some sense creative information about the topic.  

The similarities presented in the article are backed up by past events and patterns the subjects (Trump and Francis) have been showing to the spectators. Ross utilizes other sources besides his own opinion, which give him extra points. For example, Matthew Schmitz’s article in The Washington Post, when he writes that “Francis challenges a hidebound Vatican bureaucracy and flirts with revising settled Catholic doctrine” (Schmitz para 5) while Trump “attacks conventional Republican politicians and violates every conservative orthodoxy.” (Schmitz para 6)

In the same line, the presidential candidate refers to their colleagues with words like “liar”, “loser” and in the worst cases “stupid.” The Pope prefers to use “Pharisee” and “whiner,” on the point for this public figure. Plus, both know how to select their targets and the way to address the audience, usually with simple language that appeals to emotions and sensible interesting topics.

On the other hand, Mr. Douthat offers on his article a slight tone of humor, using a common slang phrase generating a familiar colloquial word choice while explaining how much the billionaire and the pontiff like troublemaking to catch the attention of the public and of course, of the media.

After explaining the first idea, differences and similarities between the two individuals, the author changes the line and smartly links it with the fact that “by reaching people who usually tune out churchmen and politicians, they [referring to Trump and The Pope] have become leading populists in our increasingly populist moment.” (Douthat para 9) Therefore, both have the same enemy which according to Ross is the Western’s ruling class. Also, both in its own way provide the spectators with anti-establishment personalities that make them immensely attractive.  

In the last part, the author transmits to the reader a powerful idea: “The populist pope may be remembered as a great reformer, and the populist billionaire as the unlikely catalyst for the Republican Party’s long-delayed reform.” (Douthat para 13).  Pope Francis and Donald Trump, both have changed the preconceived idea that people have about the figure of a pope and a presidential candidate. In addition, Mr. Douthat not only compare the two persons but also reflect on the consequences their actions may have, which give the reader a wider vision of the topic.

In conclusion, the author of “Clash of populists” makes a great job and its outcome is a well written article in which the reader can find a different view of recent events since the piece provides a detailed insight of facts and opinions to support the author’s thesis. Mr. Douthat addresses the issue in a unique and creative way, not only by comparing the pontiff and the presidential candidate but for giving something to analyze to the reader. No one will ever imagine the Pope can be so similar to Donald Trump, for the simple reason they are from different worlds even though they have the same attitude. 

  

  

Work cited page

Douthat, Ross. “Clash of the Populists.” The New York Times. The New York Times Company, 20 Feb. 2016. Web. 23 Feb. 2016.

Schmitz, Matthew. “What Donald Trump and Pope Francis actually have in common.” The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company, 19 Feb. 2016. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.