The Execution of Tropmann by Turgenev
As I read The Execution of Tropmann I wondered what the point of Turgenev's retelling was. Was it just to show us how gruesome and awful being there in the midst of the crowd waiting to see this man executed was? Was it so we could see behind the scenes? Was it merely an interesting event that he felt would be "a good read" for his readers? The question stuck in my mind until I reached the end of the essay.
A persuasive essay! What? Turgenev's ability to guide the reader along without directly stating at the beginning that was his purpose allowed me as the reader to accept the information without immediately becoming defensive or thinking that Turgenev was wrong. I don't believe I've ever read a persuasive essay where that has not happened before. The revelation at the end sparked an interest in me to go back and rethink my former opinions on the death penalty (or at least public executions).
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