The Golden Rule

      Connor’s essay grasps his audience’s attention before it even begins with its title. It is titled “How in the World Do You Get a Skunk Out of a Bottle?”. He uses this title to attract attention and make want people to read it. The fact that it is a question provokes thought and a sense of wonder. Will the essay even talk about a skunk, or is this something figurative? The concept is intriguing. It also captures Connor’s emotions. He found himself in a bizarre situation not knowing what to do. Encountering a skunk in a bottle was something out of the ordinary. He was conflicted: he was scared the skunk would spray him, worried for the skunk’s well being, and also unsure on how he would handle such a complicated situation.

     Even though most people will never actually encounter a situation in which they will have the opportunity to pull a skunk out of a bottle, Connor writes this process analysis essay to help raise awareness. Yes, this is a rare situation, however it could happen to someone else. It is something out of the ordinary, so it is worth documenting. Writing in process analysis form helps provide a pace, sequence, and insight on his personal thoughts and experiences throughout the essay. Readers can understand both Connor’s and the skunk’s struggle. “What do you want me to do?”, he says. He is conflicted. Finally, he comes to the realization that he is responsible for the skunk since he found it. This essay shows us how to have compassion. If we have the ability to help someone and we are able to do so we should try to assist, depending on how much we are putting ourselves in danger. The details he uses in the story on the different ways in which he tried to save the skunk, keep a reader engaged and makes the piece somehow relatable. The skunk was helpless and unable to save itself, so sometimes we have to become the aid it needs.

     I think the main point of this essay is an underlying meaning. It is that even though we think we are not directly involved with wildlife, we are. It is important to be conscience of where we dispose of our trash. We can be harming animals without even knowing it. There can be animals, just like the skunk that can become injured from our litter. If we pay attention and dispose of our items properly we can prevent animals from becoming victims of our negligence. It all goes back to the Golden Rule, “treat others the way you want to be treated”,  even if they are not human. We share the world with them too, so they also deserve respect.