Marti Attoun’s article shares the story of Irena Sendler, a World War II hero who saved the lives of over 2,500 children. The author devotes eight pages to a thorough description of Sendler’s heroic acts and how she eventually received the recognition she deserved. Moreover, other people are mentioned as more information is revealed to the readers. Through the use of direct quotations, biographical images, and continuous storytelling, Attoun develops a solid and inspiring article.
Firstly, the frequently inserted quotations aid in portraying Irena Sendler as a noble and courageous person while emphasizing the relevancy of the article. The technique is initially implemented into the story of the three Kansas students, to illustrate their shock at finding out “…she rescued 250 children, not 2,500” (Attoun 94). At this point, the reader is already intrigued to discover possible ways Sendler could have saved so many children. Further quote manipulation creates the effect of reading an interview, as the students, teacher, and Sendler herself describe the events through their own words.
Secondly, the added photos clearly demonstrate the heroine’s love for children, which validates the author’s description of Sendler. The first photo, placed near the piece’s title, depicts the mother with her daughter, Janka, many years ago. The sentimental value of the photo becomes evident along with the title and quote about “a story of tolerance and love” (Attoun 94). Other images include those taken with the Kansas students, as their admiration and respect for Sendler are expressed. In this way, the author highlights her caring and nurturing character by capturing the woman’s heartwarming relationship with children.
Finally, Attoun selectively accentuated shocking and surprising information through a bigger font size and placement near the photos to attract the reader’s attention to some of the heroic acts of Sendler. One of the texts includes a description of how she managed to sneak children out: “in suitcases, sacks, even in body bags” (Attoun 96). Another critical point of the article summarizes Sendler’s interrogation, noting horrifying details of her “…legs were broken, but she…gave up no names” (Attoun 100). Hence, even the readers who could not read the full text understand the complete extent of Irena Sendler’s nobility and integrity. The technique is rarely used throughout the piece to retain its effect of conciseness and surprise.
The general flow of the article is consistent and reads at a steady storytelling pace while including parallel perspectives from different parts of the world. A considerable section of Sendler’s biography is told through the three Kansas teenagers’ narrative while connecting those events to elements of the history of that time. In that way, this type of writing style allows for a deeper understanding of the topic, as the various perspectives provide insight into the different eras of the story. At the same time, the timeline of the events is organized to avoid sudden intersections between them.
Marti Attoun’s article on Irena Sendler’s story provides a continuous overview of the main events and people involved. The text offers strong arguments in favor of the heroine’s selflessness and love for children. Such arguments are perpetuated and accentuated through the use of quotes, images, and separate blocks of shocking information. In that way, Attoun proves the validity of her claims with the words of the people involved and their colleagues while additionally showcasing their compassionate relationship with each other through photographs. Overall, the article’s strong points aid in sharing appropriately such a touching story of a strong and loving woman.
Work Cited
Attoun, Marti. “The Woman Who Loved Children.” Ladies Home Journal, December 2001, pp. 94-104.