Preview

Argumentative Essay On Blackfish

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1653 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Argumentative Essay On Blackfish
Blackfish SeaWorld is considered one of the most magical places on earth. With majestic animals that aren’t seen in everyday life, come alive to please thousands of people a day. While we believe these animals are happy and enjoy the attention, Blackfish has given us reasons not to believe the false advertisement. While comparing these animals to the wild, we see that they are not as free as they should be and deserve to live in their natural habitat. One of the animals that the film focuses on are killer whales, also known as orcas, which are massive animals that like to swim for miles a day not just in circles which is what they do at SeaWorld. After watching Blackfish, I hope viewers are as sickened as I was and vow to never go.
The documentary, Blackfish, produced in 2013 and directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite argues that killer whales should not be kept in restricted areas. Keeping killer whales in confined spaces causes psychological problems due to being apart from families resulting in aggression that could be dangerous or lethal. The director also argues that keeping orcas in captivity is …show more content…
As most of the audience, I did not know what was going on at SeaWorld including all the deaths of trainers. SeaWorld hides these deaths and blames many of the dead trainers even though they are not here to defend themselves. When it was stated that SeaWorld declined an interview for Blackfish, it seemed a little fishy. If they did nothing wrong why wouldn’t they give an interview? I believe the people that are protesting outside of SeaWorld are doing something great and defending the orcas as they would humans. We don’t want to be captured from out natural habitats, so why would we do that to animals that have feelings too? I will never go to SeaWorld unless it is to protest and will not take my kids. I am glad my family has never taken me and I am glad to be shown this documentary on how bad SeaWorld really
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Consider The Lobster Argument Essay
    • 1361 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Consider The Lobster Argument Essay

    Technology has given humans numerous advantages. One advantage, in particular, is the improvement in the way we think that results in a change in the way we learn. Although this advantage is very helpful in today’s world, there is a downside in its effect on the environment and our future. When militaries started occupying land, they began to enforce their own culture upon that land. This included using the military’s technology to advance civilization. Even though technology has made significant advancements and improvements in life, one must also consider how technology has hurt the environment. In the article “Which Species Will Live?” Michelle Nijhuis explains how technology has led to the important moral issue of whether or not to focus on saving one species at the cost of ignoring another and let it fall victim to extinction. David Foster Wallace’s article “Consider the Lobster” deals with the Maine Lobster Festival and shows how technology has led…

    • 1361 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Blackfish Rhetoric Analysis
    • 1293 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Blackfish Rhetoric Analysis

    The documentary entitled Blackfish directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite uses a few rhetorical approaches to reveal the disturbing hardship that orca whales experience in captivity. The film follows the shocking story of a killer whale named Tilikum and the three human deaths that he is responsible for. Cowperthwaite uses interviews with concerned former trainers and whale experts as a device to explore the difference between SeaWorld’s public image and its intense reality. Researchers find that the wild orcas can be described as highly socialized and intelligent creatures; these gentle animals are then compared to the whales pictured in footage from SeaWorld’s marine parks. Whales kept at SeaWorld are mistreated, restrained to dark cages, and live in small concrete pools that cannot be compared to the hundreds of miles that they would routinely swim on a daily basis. To this day, many admire SeaWorld for its broad assortment of marine animals. As a documentary, Blackfish takes on the immense task of trying to alter the audiences’ perceptions of SeaWorld. While Blackfish employs all three forms of rhetoric to accomplish this mission, it predominantly attracts the emotion of its audience using a combination of stock footage and interviews.…

    • 1293 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Tilikum Research Paper
    • 372 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Tilikum Research Paper

    “A killer whale gone very bad” talked about a killer whale at SeaWorld who weighs about 12,000 pounds by the name of Tilikum. He is also the star of the movie called “Blackfish.” SeaWorld made Tilikum out to be a killer, but he is actually a victim of their greed. He was captured in 1983 from the wild at the age of 2 from his mother in Iceland where he was kept in a tank for about a year. Afterwards, he was sent to a park called Sealand of the Pacific. There he spent most of his day in a tank where 2 female whales bullied him. The article also explained how during a performance at Sea Land a performer fell into the water and 3 whales including Tilikum drowned her. While the whales very extremely vicious to her, there were no lawsuits filed…

    • 372 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Ethos In Blackfish
    • 878 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Ethos In Blackfish

    One fish, two fish, red fish, Blackfish. Blackfish is a documentary created by Gabriela Cowperthwaite to expose Seaworld and to show people what really happened with attacks on trainers such as the one Dawn Brancheau and the mistreatment of animals through many series of interviews of ex-trainers, experts on orcas, orca hunters, and eye witnesses of gruesome experiences. She accompanied her interviews with an array of video clips to back up her interviewer's testimonies for her film. Cowperthwaite built her argument against Seaworld by using various examples of ethos, logos, and pathos. She used them with skill to make a strong and convincing argument with solid logic and without using any logical fallacies.…

    • 878 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Ethos In Black Fish
    • 747 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Ethos In Black Fish

    In the documentary Black fish, Gabriella Cowperthwaite (2013) illustrated the truth behind SeaWorld. The director uses Logos, Ethos, and Pathos to persuade the viewer to think twice before attending SeaWorld and viewing it as a haven for orcas. SeaWorld may have changed and updated some of their safety precautions now, but it used to be a concrete prison that confined several orcas in and inhumane and misunderstood environment.…

    • 747 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Killer Whales In Seaworld
    • 203 Words
    • 1 Page

    The Killer Whales In Seaworld

    Although there have been many animal advocates protesting against SeaWorld, there are other people who don’t mind the Orcas being at SeaWorld. “Shamu the show and the marine parks’ collection of orcas have been inextricably linked to SeaWorld since the San Diego park’s origins more than a half century ago” (San Diego Union-Tribune 1). The killer whales have been the face of SeaWorld for many years. The Orcas are one of the main reasons people go to Seaworld. Shamu is the famous name that all the Orcas are known as, because of the captive killer whale that appeared at shows in SeaWorld San Diego in the 1960’s. “She was the fourth orca ever captured, and the second female, after her death, the name Shamu continued to be used in SeaWorld…

    • 203 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    A Rhetorical Analysis Of Blackfish
    • 852 Words
    • 4 Pages

    A Rhetorical Analysis Of Blackfish

    Blackfish, the 2013 documentary about the attacks of killer whales provides a profound look on the miserable lives of orcas that are being held against their will. However, the film focuses on more than the “Free Willy” longings. This film is extremely emotional and somewhat graphic as it visually shows why killer whales, at numerous SeaWorld and marine parks, attack the trainers and why these whales should not be held in captivity.…

    • 852 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Captive Orca Whales In Seaworld
    • 1838 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Captive Orca Whales In Seaworld

    With a total of 23 beautiful orca whales, it is no surprise SeaWorld attracted 4.4 million tourists in 2014. These millions flock to watch the black and white beauties swim, splash, and wave in front of huge audiences and charismatic trainers, but these millions might not be so excited once they watch, Blackfish. In the documentary, Blackfish, filmmakers attempt to discredit the SeaWorld corporation, for compromising the welfare of captive orcas for a higher financial gain. Blackfish caused quite the stir when it comes to SeaWorld’s treatment of their orcas, and brought into question, if it is ethical to keep these animals in captivity.…

    • 1838 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Seaworld
    • 762 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Seaworld

    Since the documentary “Blackfish” aired earlier this year Seaworld Inc. has faced a public perception nightmare as its market shares and park attendance has declined to record lows. At this point Seaworld Inc. may be at the point of no return with its current business model and the only saving grace may be to re-brand entirely in order to remain open. Immediately following the airing of the documentary, Seaworld Inc. went on the defensive about its conservation efforts and how their work benefits aquatic wildlife as a whole. Despite this effort, which is fairly noticeable once you visit the company webpage and social media outlets, Seaworld Inc. is still in financial disdain. Listed below are my ideas as to how Seaworld can pull away from the current negative image and win back the general public.…

    • 762 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Arguments In Blackfish
    • 187 Words
    • 1 Page

    Arguments In Blackfish

    . Throughout the whole documentary, there is an underlying assumption that every empathetic and sane person should agree that animals should not be held captive. This helps build the argument because as an audience member, it is difficult to be the only one not agreeing with something. There is also an underlying assumption that the audience does not know much about marine life and the dangers of captivity. Based upon this assumption, the documentary educates the public, without being condescending.…

    • 187 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    After Seaworld Analysis
    • 729 Words
    • 3 Pages

    After Seaworld Analysis

    Aquatic and wild animals seem to be a huge contribution of our society and entertainment, but rarely we see incidents recently recalling killer whales at SeaWorld. Reading the article “After Seaworld, ‘Blackfish effect’ on circuses and zoos?” by Kelly Wallace, shows the viewpoint on the topic of the movie called “Blackfish.” The film is about Seaworld and the famous killer whale Tilikum. The history of him and his seaworld experience was introduced. He ended up killing his trainer Dawn Brancheau, and some people even blamed her for it. This is a topic that is rarely discussed in society, but it seems as if people have a misunderstanding or don't know enough about it to have an opinion. The shocking news, is that this is not the first time…

    • 729 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Black Fish Argumentative Essay
    • 840 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Black Fish Argumentative Essay

    The average age of death of an Orca at SeaWorld is thirteen years.“No Aquarium, no tank in the marine land, however spacious it may be, can begin to duplicate the conditions in the sea.” Jacques-yves Cousteau said in the film, “Blackfish.” Who would want to go to marine parks knowing that the animals captive there are dying more rapidly than those in the wild? In other words, SeaWorld's tanks cannot compare to the ocean, the tanks at SeaWorld are approximately three-hundred and fifty feet long. The average size of an Orca is twenty to thirty feet long, though in the wild an Orca travels more than one-hundred miles a day. A whale would have to swim one thousand two-hundred and eight laps a day in a tank that size to reach the amount of miles an average Orca swims in the wild. “Life in cramped tanks is no prize for Orcas and Dolphins, who want to be free with their families in the ocean,” Bob Barker quoted. The male Orcas in SeaWorld all have collapsed dorsal fins, which is not common in the wild. A collapsed dorsal fin is a sign of a unhealthy or injured Orca. Most of the whales are injured from the other whales that live in the tanks along with them. Living in such confined spaces creates tension among the whales which leads to attacks against each other. In the ocean, there is a vast amount of space for the whales to eventually flee. Although in the tank,…

    • 840 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Seaworld Blackfish Ethical Issues
    • 1855 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Seaworld Blackfish Ethical Issues

    In the stride of greed in this world human beings have been thriving off of almost anything to get what they believe is obtainable. Within the human endeavor to acquire currency some actions taken by SeaWorld are morally wrong and discerning. The ethical dilemma of the exploitation of wild orcas at SeaWorld has become a controversial topic with the idea of freeing the orcas to be the most morally understood solution. SeaWorld has repeatedly displaced orcas from mothers for different attractions or to ship to other parks. This occurrence is followed by the mother producing disturbing long range calls to attempt to locate her baby, described by a neuroscientist in Blackfish. The conditions these majestic orcas endure can only damage their…

    • 1855 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Blackfish Essay
    • 1976 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Blackfish Essay

    Who does not love to see dolphins and whales flipping and doing tricks? Although the animals look happy and unharmed, there is a dark truth behind the captive marine life in amusement parks and zoos. Yes, attending zoos and marine life amusement parks are a part of childhood; but recently researchers have discovered just how cruel the environment is for the marine life in captivity. After studies of comparing the quality of life of marine animals in the wild and in captivity, there are multiple examples shown in Blackfish, PETA, and the Animal Welfare Institute that show that animals prosper and live longer in their natural habitats. Due to the cruelty endured by the captivated Orcas, all the SeaWorld parks should be shut down and the Orca whales should be set free to prevent further demise to their species.…

    • 1976 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Cove
    • 257 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Cove

    Richard O'Barry was the man who captured and trained the dolphins for the television show "Flipper" (1964). O'Barry's view of cetaceans in captivity changed from that experience when as the last straw he saw that one of the dolphins playing Flipper - her name being Kathy - basically committed suicide in his arms because of the stress of being in captivity. Since that time, he has become one of the leading advocates against cetaceans in captivity and for the preservation of cetaceans in the wild. O'Barry and filmmaker 'Louie Psihoyos (I)' go about trying to expose one of what they see as the most cruel acts against wild dolphins in the world in Taiji, Japan, where dolphins are routinely corralled, either to be sold alive to aquariums and marine parks, or slaughtered for meat. The primary secluded cove where this activity is taking place is heavily guarded. O'Barry and Psihoyos are well known as enemies by the authorities in Taiji, the authorities who will use whatever tactic to expel the two from Japan forever. O'Barry, Psihoyos and their team covertly try to film as a document of conclusive evidence this cruel behavior. They employ among others Hollywood cameramen and deep sea free divers. They also highlight what is considered the dangerous consumption of dolphin meat (due to its high concentration of mercury) which is often sold not as dolphin meat, and the Japanese government's methodical buying off of poorer third world nations for their support of Japan's whaling industry, that support most specifically at the International Whaling…

    • 257 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More

Related Topics