So, what makes this project rhetorical? As Bitzer says, a rhetorical situation depends on the context in which it occurs. The situation in the present time is the Covid-19 pandemic, which has brought with it many conflicting opinions and controversy as to how it should be handled. To believe that this pandemic won’t be considered historical and taught to future generations is foolish.
Therefore, this story within the Sims is rhetorical in that it shows one of the situations that real people are facing and brings attention to some of the issues that aren’t being solved in the middle of the pandemic, even though so many are suffering because of it.
The Quarantini Sims family is forced to stay at home because of the grandfather’s age making him at high risk of suffering severe complications should he contract Covid-19. This limits their ability to make an income as many jobs require the employee to be on-site and not remote for working, even if as many places are trying to allow for remote work as possible. In the Sim world, this is a much more difficult task, which is something being faced by real people who are unable to find a job remotely or physically go to a job due to the high risk they may put themselves or a loved one at by being exposed to Covid-19.
This piece doesn’t offer solutions, as I’m unsure that there are clear solutions to be offered in this situation. It merely brings light to the situation that will undoubtedly be remembered in history and the struggles that it places on regular families.
