English 101
9.27.24
“The Golden Door”
The famous poem written on Lady Liberty’s tablet creates the impression that America is
a warm and welcoming place, willing to take in the homeless, the hungry, and the poor.
However, in his short story, On Being a Refugee an American and a Human Being, Viet Thanh
Nguyen claims the complete opposite. Nguyen’s points about the harsh lives of refugees and
immigrants in America comes from his personal experience of becoming a refugee and moving
to the states. In his story, Nguyen aims to raise awareness about the extreme xenophobia that
refugees in America face and call his audience to action to end the prejudice. Through the use of
personal anecdotes, vivid imagery, and sharp juxtaposition, Nguyen appeals to pathos, which
evokes strong emotional responses from his audience to deepen their connection with his
message and make his call to action more impactful. By incorporating these rhetorical devices,
Nguyen effectively connects with the reader’s emotions, strengthening the overall emotional
appeal of his argument.
Nguyen starts his short story with a series of personal anecdotes, giving his audience
context and allowing them to empathize with the text. For example, when explaining how the
general attitude in America towards refugees is just blatant racism, he writes that after his parents
opened up a grocery store in a run-down neighborhood, a nearby store put up a sign that said
“another American driven out of business by the Vietnamese” (Nguyen, 217). His anecdote
appeals to pathos by evoking feelings of empathy, frustration, and a sense of injustice within the
immigrant community. Additionally, it personalizes the broader social issue of xenophobia,
making it relatable and emotionally charged. By highlighting the struggles of his parents,
1
9.27.24
“The Golden Door”
The famous poem written on Lady Liberty’s tablet creates the impression that America is
a warm and welcoming place, willing to take in the homeless, the hungry, and the poor.
However, in his short story, On Being a Refugee an American and a Human Being, Viet Thanh
Nguyen claims the complete opposite. Nguyen’s points about the harsh lives of refugees and
immigrants in America comes from his personal experience of becoming a refugee and moving
to the states. In his story, Nguyen aims to raise awareness about the extreme xenophobia that
refugees in America face and call his audience to action to end the prejudice. Through the use of
personal anecdotes, vivid imagery, and sharp juxtaposition, Nguyen appeals to pathos, which
evokes strong emotional responses from his audience to deepen their connection with his
message and make his call to action more impactful. By incorporating these rhetorical devices,
Nguyen effectively connects with the reader’s emotions, strengthening the overall emotional
appeal of his argument.
Nguyen starts his short story with a series of personal anecdotes, giving his audience
context and allowing them to empathize with the text. For example, when explaining how the
general attitude in America towards refugees is just blatant racism, he writes that after his parents
opened up a grocery store in a run-down neighborhood, a nearby store put up a sign that said
“another American driven out of business by the Vietnamese” (Nguyen, 217). His anecdote
appeals to pathos by evoking feelings of empathy, frustration, and a sense of injustice within the
immigrant community. Additionally, it personalizes the broader social issue of xenophobia,
making it relatable and emotionally charged. By highlighting the struggles of his parents,
1
