Ibrahim Kidwai – The Path Toward Redemption

Summary

Although my teachable moment is of course used as a comparison, I wrote this essay from a third person point of view. I wanted to try this because I wanted to feel
equally connected to each piece rather than focusing on my own. While writing I found that when using "I" that tended to happen.

Ibrahim Kidwai

The Path Toward Redemption

8/9/2023

English 2150

The journey of redemption holds universal appeal, drawing us into tales of personal struggle and awakening. In the personal narratives “Some May Call It a Miracle,” “The Halls of Mepham High,” and “My Battle with Depression,” the authors utilize rhetorical techniques to chronicle their paths from darkness into light. Despite differences in their stories, common themes of despair, discovery of faith, and ultimate transformation emerge. The authors establish narrative credibility through emotional vulnerability and honesty. By crafting a coherent narrative arc, they provide hope to readers seeking their own salvation. 

In the first narrative, “Some May Call It a Miracle,” the author documents her journey to Islam during a period of depression and heartbreak. Despite not being raised Muslim, she finds solace and community at a mosque during her darkest moments. The second piece, “The Halls of Mepham High,” traces a teen’s battle with drug addiction and eventual spiritual awakening through reconnecting with his Muslim faith and Quran. Finally, “My Battle with Depression” explores a young woman’s struggle with mental illness and her motivation to help others based on her experience. While seemingly different on the surface, similarities arise in the emotive appeal and allegorical nature employed to convey universal messages about the resilience of the human spirit.

A key rhetorical technique utilized by all the authors is pathos, drawing readers into their struggles through emotional vulnerability. In “Some May Call It a Miracle,” the author candidly shares hitting emotional “rock bottom,” stating she was “actually, to be very honest, it was more like crying and praying and finding myself there for almost 20 minutes.” Such raw honesty immediately garners empathy, as she paints a vivid portrait of her suffering. Similarly, in “The Halls of Mepham High,” the author reveals his painful addiction, admitting “I barely paid attention in the Zoom calls because it was during the COVID pandemic. I roamed the streets in search of connection. I found it in the form of a joint passed amongst other lifeless souls.” His stark description elicits compassion by highlighting the depth of his loneliness. Finally, the author of “My Battle with Depression” evokes emotion through her metaphor of depression as “the worst day you’ve ever had” that recurs daily, resonating with anyone experiencing mental anguish. By boldly excavating their lowest moments, the authors establish ethos and deepen engagement through pathos.

In addition to pathos, the allegorical nature of the narratives creates a mythical, fable-like quality, amplifying their universal resonance. The authors present themselves as archetypal protagonists on a spiritual quest. In “Some May Call It a Miracle,” the author’s discovery of faith emerges symbolically through moments like a parking lot full of sleet that suddenly clears, which she interprets as a sign from God. This mythical element makes her tale feel metaphorical rather than literal. Similarly, the reclusive addict in “The Halls of Mepham High” unearths his abandoned Quran, portrayed as a turning point in his redemption journey. While specific details vary between the stories, each author constructs their experience as an allegorical test of faith rather than purely personal. This literary technique broadens their narratives’ significance.

Finally, the essays’ narrative structure reinforces their allegorical nature. All three follow Freytag’s dramatic arc – exposition of a problem, rising action of suffering, climax of despair, falling action of discovering faith, and denouement of transformation. This coherent narrative structure makes the tales feel epic and mythical. For instance, “My Battle with Depression” introduces the issue, details escalating depression, builds to a crisis, pivots with the emergence of purpose, and ends with determination to help others. The authors emphasize not the details of their lives, but the universal process of struggle and growth. Their stories feel archetypal because of their strategic narrative construction.

Through raw emotional appeals, allegorical style, and dramatic structure, the authors provide redemption narratives that illuminate shared truths about resilience. They establish ethos by boldly revealing painful personal details, deepening engagement through pathos. Symbolic elements and cohesive arcs amplify the stories’ mythic nature. And while the particulars differ, each piece underscores that we all seek light in our own darkness. These narratives highlight that redemption lies in discovering faith in oneself and a guiding purpose. Through masterful rhetorical techniques, the authors offer catharsis, empathy, and hope to readers on their own precarious journeys toward salvation.

Works Cited:

Staff, MG. “How Allah Showed up for Me When I Was at My Lowest.” Muslim Girl, 6 Jan. 2022, muslimgirl.com/how-allah-showed-up-for-me-when-i-was-at-my-lowest/. 

Woloszynski, Erica. “Trapped in Darkness: A Personal Narrative on Depression.” Medium, 8 Oct. 2016,  medium.com/@wolosze/trapped-in-darkness-a-personal-narrative-on-depression-7272da0a5f52.