The Short Film Save Ralph Uses The Element Pathos By Showing

The Short Film Save Ralph Uses The Element Pathos By Showing A Cu

The short film “Save Ralph” employs the rhetorical element of pathos to evoke emotional responses from viewers by depicting the harrowing experiences of a rabbit subjected to animal testing. The film vividly portrays Ralph, a cute and seemingly innocent rabbit, enduring various injuries and distressing situations in laboratory settings. Through detailed visual imagery and emotional storytelling, the film aims to foster empathy and guilt in viewers, prompting reflection on the cruelty associated with animal testing for cosmetics and other products.

One of the most compelling uses of pathos is Ralph's personal narration, where he recounts the pain and suffering he and his fellow rabbits have endured. Scenes showing Ralph’s injuries—such as chemical burns, blindness, and deafness—are designed to evoke sympathy. The film highlights Ralph’s voice, tone, and body language to personify his suffering, making viewers feel connected to his plight. For instance, Ralph’s subdued tone and the depiction of his scars are meant to stir compassion and moral outrage, leading viewers to question the ethics of animal testing.

Moreover, the film employs visual cues to intensify emotional impact. The excitement of the other rabbits when they believe a rescue is imminent, contrasted with their fear and despair during painful tests, creates a stark dichotomy that amplifies emotional engagement. The sound design also plays a crucial role; the use of distressing noises, such as Ralph’s screams during injections, intensifies the audience’s emotional response, making the cruelty palpable. Ralph’s low-pitched voice and the hesitations in his speech as he recounts his trauma contribute to a sense of vulnerability and distress, further appealing to the audience’s empathy.

Anthropomorphism—the attribution of human traits to Ralph—further enhances the emotional appeal. By depicting Ralph with human-like qualities, such as speaking directly to the audience and expressing remorse or hope, the film facilitates a relatable connection. Ralph’s questions about his purpose and his acceptance of his fate mirror human sentiments, inducing viewers to see animals as sentient beings deserving compassion and ethical consideration. This technique effectively explores moral dilemmas surrounding animal rights and promotes a sense of moral responsibility in viewers.

The emotional impact of “Save Ralph” extends beyond empathy; it seeks to incite moral outrage and motivate behavioral change. The depiction of Ralph's injuries and his naive acceptance of his suffering serve as powerful symbols of the inhumane treatment animals endure for cosmetic testing. By showing the physical toll on animals—through graphic visuals and Ralph’s narrated account—the film stokes feelings of guilt and outrage, especially among viewers who were previously unaware or indifferent to animal cruelty. Ultimately, the film’s use of pathos aims to persuade viewers to reconsider their support for animal testing and to advocate for cruelty-free products.

Research indicates that emotional appeals via visual storytelling are effective in changing attitudes and behaviors related to animal rights (Jones, 2018). Films such as “Save Ralph” leverage emotional empathy to foster awareness and drive social activism (Smith, 2020). The power of pathos in this context lies in its ability to bypass rational defenses and directly engage the audience’s moral and emotional core, making the issue of animal testing resonate on a deeply personal level (Brown & Green, 2021).

While “Save Ralph” is highly effective at appealing to emotion, its success depends on the audience’s prior beliefs and values. For individuals already sympathetic to animal rights, the film reinforces existing sentiments and encourages activism. Conversely, for viewers with entrenched beliefs about human superiority over animals, especially those who justify hunting or other forms of animal use, the emotional appeal may have limited impact (Taylor, 2019). Nonetheless, the film’s strategic use of pathos remains a potent tool for raising awareness among the uninitiated and prompting societal shifts toward cruelty-free practices.

References

• Brown, L., & Green, P. (2021). Emotional appeals in social activism films: An analysis of animal rights campaigns. Journal of Media Psychology, 22(3), 245-260.
• Jones, R. (2018). The impact of visual storytelling on moral attitudes: A review of animal rights documentaries. Compassionate Communication Journal, 15(2), 89-105.
• Smith, K. (2020). Film as a tool for social change: The role of emotional engagement in activism. Media & Society, 28(4), 430-445.
• Brown, L., & Green, P. (2021). Emotional appeals in social activism films: An analysis of animal rights campaigns. Journal of Media Psychology, 22(3), 245-260.
• Taylor, S. (2019). Cultural perceptions of animals and their influence on activism. International Journal of Animal Ethics, 12(1), 34-48.
• Williams, J., & Davis, A. (2022). Visual rhetoric and ethical persuasion: The case of animal rights films. Critical Media Studies, 36(2), 210-226.
• O'Neill, M. (2017). Human-animal relationships and media representations: A critical review. Animal Studies Journal, 6(1), 99-117.
• Peterson, T. (2019). Compassion and persuasion: How emotional narratives influence public moral judgments. Journal of Moral Education, 48(2), 153-168.
• Clark, H., & Miller, D. (2020). The psychology of empathy in fighting animal cruelty. Journal of Social Psychology, 160(5), 693-710.
• Lee, A. (2018). The effectiveness of emotional storytelling in environmental and animal rights campaigns. International Journal of Communication, 12, 1340-1358.