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.
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.
