Tiananmen Square is where thousands of Chinese people gathered to try to
overthrow the Chinese government. Every writer there witnessed and viewed this
event in his or her own way. The writers different versions contradicted so much
the audience had every reason to be confused over what really happened. The goal
of these writers was to persuade the audience to see this event the way the
writer saw it. This event in history can show readers how one event that
happened only one way, can be told in many different ways. The Beijing Review
interviewed a Chinese Military Official, naturally his story will favor the
Chinese government. The leaders of the revolt were referred to as bad people;
these bad people were accused of influencing the students and viewers to
shamefully overthrow the government. This official also said that their losses
were great because of the good mingling with the bad, this caused a mass state
of confusion resulting in personal loss. He then made it look like the
government assault on the people was necessary, and this showed the integrity of
the people’s army. A writer for the New York Times wrote from a neutral
perspective. This writer didn’t take a side or judge either group. The writer
just gave a story from what he or she eye witnessed. This version was
descriptive and filled with facts. The writer also explains why the revolt was
taking place. Compare Contrast 2 The Military Official sided with the
government, and the New York Times Writer was neutral. The Official labeled
people the Times writer did not. The Official used his opinions in his version.
The Times writer used facts to demonstrate his or her eye witnessed account.
Both writers wrote about things they saw during the event to prove a point, like
when the tank drivers were forced from safety by fire then beaten when they
would evacuate. After all the versions were viewed the audience couldn’t help
but be confused over this event. Every different writer told the story of this
event his or her way. Some of the writers took sides others stayed neutral.
Reading different versions of a story can confuse the reader and misguide him of
her from the truth. The reader must always realize what he or she is reading can
be misleading.