This article begins by giving the readers several suicide statistics around the world today (mostly in America as usual actually). It explains how it is one of the most common causes of death in the U.S. and that the rate is quickly rising. Robin Williams, who recently committed suicide, is the main example in this article. The author describes how he was "enchantingly frenzied" yet lived with troubled moods. In a profile written for him back in 2010, it stated how he seemed kind and gentle, but the main impression he gave was one of sadness. The author then goes on to explain how the media is always trying to give reasons whenever suicides occur but that Robin Williams had no apparent justification for killing himself. He had no kind of addiction, had a happy marriage (even though it was his third), and seemed to have a good relationship with his kids. He lived a life many would want, so why did he put an end to it? His probable reason, according to the article, would have been depression (unipolar or bipolar), which is the most common motive for suicides. The author, probably expressing his opinion, explains how catastrophic it is for people of all ages to end their lives. He also reveals that "the same qualities that drive a person to brilliance may drive that person to suicide." What he means is that highly successful people may be perfectionists who are constantly trying to achieve impossible goals; or maybe they are "hungry for love, for the adoration of audiences." When they fail to attain these targets, they feel as if they failed and can no longer make things work properly anymore, leading to suicide. Before finalizing, the author explains that suicides are contagious and gives an example of how the rates went up by twelve per cent in the U.S. when Marilyn Monroe put an end to her life, and fears that the same may occur now since Williams followed her path. To conclude, the author claims that no one is immune. Williams lived his entire life making millions of people simile, yet he himself wasn't happy. "A great hope gets crushed every time someone reminds us that happiness can be neither assumed nor earned..."
Andrew Solomon, author of this article, did a great job in explaining the several causes of suicide. At the very beginning, he gives the article a credible look by listing several facts and numbers on suicides today. Using Robin Williams as an example was also a great choice to attract the readers due to his recent death and worldwide popularity. Williams is also quoted to show the audience how his point of view on happiness which the author later develops throughout the article. Solomon makes several impressive claims that make his audience stop and think about them for a while. His sentence structures along with word choice add even more intensity to his claims, leaving them up for debate between the readers. Overall the author did a great job throughout the article, making his message clear and appealing, yet leaving several debatable statements.
http://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/suicide-crime-loneliness?src=mp
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