"If Men Could Menstruate" by Gloria Steinem took a radical approach in this article that centered how society is apparently catered to men. Steinem obviously feels strongly that even in today's age, men still have the upper hand in society. She brings up several examples by comparing what the world would be like if men menstruated. Some of these examples are plausible, while others are over the top.
Early on in the article after the introductory paragraphs, Steinem writes about men menstruating, "Men would brag about how long and how much." No doubt presides that some men would, just as some women may brag about special features in their lives, but to throw every man in this category would be prejudiced. Steinem may have been better off incorporating the word "some" before "Men" to dodge an obvious prejudice idea. After Steinem throws this idea out there, she proceeds to let her mind run free with possibilities that might occur. This is reasonable to let the imagination go to work, but Steinem includes a whole page of these self-thought-of scenarios. There comes a point where the reader has to question the rationale for this abundance of information. It essentially transforms from an informational utopia to an attack on men, and how the world is not just for women. Steinem does not come out and directly say, "The world is unfair for women", but she uses her examples to steadily attempt to prove that the world is unfair for women because of men. A fine example of this idea arises when Steinem writes, "Medical schools would limit women's entry ("they might faint at the sight of blood")." This is simply a preconceived idea that Steinem holds in her mind assuming the worst in men, and failing to recognize that a truly genuine man may hold a higher up job at the Medical school. Unfortunately, according to Steinem, this man would be a pain even if he was the most sincere man ever, because she states later on, "For instance, here's an idea for theorists and logicians: if women are supposed to be less rational and more emotional at the beginning of our menstrual cycle when the female hormone is at its lowest level, then why isn't it logical to say that, in those few days, women behave the most like the way men behave all month long?" Let's leave further improvisation up
to the reader, but Steinem wrote this, so it can be assumed she means it.
Steinem's article encompasses much that may appeal to women, and not to men, but who's to decide right and wrong? No one person deserves this power for it is His power.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
"The Great Lawsuit" Blog
"The Great Lawsuit" by Margaret Fuller proved to be an intriguing piece, even in today's age. The main ideas that presided in the text were bold exclamations for the times. Fuller fought on behalf of women, that they be treated as equals to men. She did not come right out and exclaim this, but she rather constructed this idea with an array of well-crafted paragraphs that worked together to produce the final product-- a profound argument for women's rights. Countless instances distanced themselves from others as greater argumentative tools in the text.
The end of the first paragraph brings forth an interesting scenario when the writing reads, "But if woman be,
indeed, the weaker party, she ought to have legal protection, which would make such oppression impossible." This is an extremely valid idea when the topic is logically approached. Men tend to attain stronger physiques than women may, but this doesn't mean that the two can't have tools that even the playing field. Those "tools" in this instance would be the legal protection that Fuller speaks of in the text. This appears necessary because oppression could easily be forced upon women if they haven't any defense at their expense. Fuller creates a plausible idea with this use of words, but she slyly brings forth a call to action in the second paragraph. This is so when confronting the last sentence in the paragraph that states, "Knowing this, can we wonder that many reformers think that measures are not likely to be taken in behalf of women, unless their wishes could be publicly represented by women!" Before this statement Fuller explains the relationship most men have with women in their lives. She concludes that the only way real change will accumulate is if determined women lead the movement. This arises as a pivotal point the writing because it serves as starting point for a process that Fuller hopes will arrive sooner than later. Fuller's call to action here surely inspired women similar to her with a drive for change, but not the men of the world and legislators. This is apparent from the last line in the third to last paragraph that reads, " The lover, the poet, the artist, are likely to view her nobly. The father and the philosopher have some chance of liberality; the man of the
world, the legislator for expediency, none." An interesting light to put society under, but it does serve its purpose in terms of making Fuller look like the "good guy." In America today and presumably back then, there is a widespread distaste for legislators and many of those attached to the category of men of the world. By making it clear that these are the people who oppose equality, she creates a sense that the "bad guys" are those stalling equality. Fuller uses several techniques in her writing here, but by shining the light differently on this topic, an alternative view is readily created in an easily likable sense.
Fuller approaches this delicate topic exceedingly well considering the circumstances of her time. She describes and explains her views rather than attacking the customs immediately. This is what makes this piece of literature so moving and relative in time that admitted a great divide among sexes.
The end of the first paragraph brings forth an interesting scenario when the writing reads, "But if woman be,
indeed, the weaker party, she ought to have legal protection, which would make such oppression impossible." This is an extremely valid idea when the topic is logically approached. Men tend to attain stronger physiques than women may, but this doesn't mean that the two can't have tools that even the playing field. Those "tools" in this instance would be the legal protection that Fuller speaks of in the text. This appears necessary because oppression could easily be forced upon women if they haven't any defense at their expense. Fuller creates a plausible idea with this use of words, but she slyly brings forth a call to action in the second paragraph. This is so when confronting the last sentence in the paragraph that states, "Knowing this, can we wonder that many reformers think that measures are not likely to be taken in behalf of women, unless their wishes could be publicly represented by women!" Before this statement Fuller explains the relationship most men have with women in their lives. She concludes that the only way real change will accumulate is if determined women lead the movement. This arises as a pivotal point the writing because it serves as starting point for a process that Fuller hopes will arrive sooner than later. Fuller's call to action here surely inspired women similar to her with a drive for change, but not the men of the world and legislators. This is apparent from the last line in the third to last paragraph that reads, " The lover, the poet, the artist, are likely to view her nobly. The father and the philosopher have some chance of liberality; the man of the
world, the legislator for expediency, none." An interesting light to put society under, but it does serve its purpose in terms of making Fuller look like the "good guy." In America today and presumably back then, there is a widespread distaste for legislators and many of those attached to the category of men of the world. By making it clear that these are the people who oppose equality, she creates a sense that the "bad guys" are those stalling equality. Fuller uses several techniques in her writing here, but by shining the light differently on this topic, an alternative view is readily created in an easily likable sense.
Fuller approaches this delicate topic exceedingly well considering the circumstances of her time. She describes and explains her views rather than attacking the customs immediately. This is what makes this piece of literature so moving and relative in time that admitted a great divide among sexes.
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