Myra Jehlen essay describes the significance of the roles of masculinity and femininity defined throughout the book, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain. Myra Jehlen points out several instances where Twain clearly describes how females and males are looked at differently, with examples of the various encounters with Huck. I tend not to agree with Jehlen on her criticism of the book being sexist and defer to it being historically realistic.
In her paper Myra explains how Twain defines femininity and masculinity as polar opposites. “As a social construction femininity has its standard parts. A girl, Judith Lofton tells Huck, can thread a needle, she spreads her lap to catch things which land in her skirt, and she cannot throw a straight.(pg.502)” But Myra is hinting too, that men cannot thread a needle, closes his knees to catch things, and can throw straight. That if a man was able to do these traits that a female posses than they would be considered not masculine. But I tend to disagree with the criticism of Jehlen on Twain, it seems as though Twain is just describing how men and women were looked at back in the time period of the book. Opposed to how Twain is degrading women and putting men above all.
At the same time Myra Jehlen understands the positions of gender and the scrutiny it holds, she also understands that it always isn’t interpreted the same by everyone that reads the book. “In other words, gender is both an embedded assumption and function as a touchstone for others. It is logically impossible to interrogate gender- to transform it from axiom to object of scrutiny and critical term- without also interrogating race and class.” Though Myra understands where “her” critics would try and argue against the issue she presents, she still sticks strongly with the fact that gender criticism still arises from the text within the book, if you want to look at it. Even though I disagree with several of Myra points this is one of them that I do. She defines on how gender is looked at differently but a lot depending on what parts you decide to take out of the book and look at effects the way you will think about the subject. Twain can’t make you choose what you take out of the book or the way you look at it, it is easy to find a different perspective form pretty much anyone that reads it.
Myra Jehlen points out several instances, where Huck battles with the meanings of femininity and masculinity. Also how Mark Twain defines gender with his detailed descriptions, such as Huck’s encounter with Judith Lofton. Jehlen describes how masculinity and femininity are viewed at differently, for at least that time period and where the book is concerned. Though Myra Jehlen states some very strong arguments, you can still relate back to if Twain was trying to degrade women or just trying to make the book historically relevant to the time period. In my own opinion he is just sating how it was during the time and nothing further. I believe Twain shouldn’t be blamed at all for making the book so called sexist.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Zack, this is a good start! try to put more examples and critical thinking into your essay, to make it longer, the main idea is about sexism and gender, so maybe take a look at the other essays in the back of the book for differnt ideas and veiwpoints. there were a few grammer mistakes in there too, just watch for those. Overall its a very good start just needs a little more detail.
1)The claim is that the book is not sexist, and it can be looked at in many different ways.
2)You use a few quotes from the Jehlen essay, but I would suggest adding some more quotes from other essays. The Alice Walker essay is good, as is Crews's essay. Crews tends to agree with your point.
3)You do a great job with commentary. Your quotes are introduced well and you expand on them to further your thesis. So good job with the insertion of your own opinions.
4)You seem to only adress counter claims, this is why it might be a good idea to get some quotes from other agreeing sources. But hey, it's just a rough draft.
5)You could site Crew's and Walker, and Kaplin if you are looking at Historical Realism.
6)Walker makes some counter claims. She thinks the book is sexist and women are only shown as motherly figures who aren't as dynamic as the male characters.\
7)You have a really good start, so I do not have much feedback. The only think is put in a few more quotes, but I think you'll do that anyway for the final draft. Also, maybe try to make your introduction stand out more. Like, a really compelling hook.
1. The book isn't sexist, and that historical realism should be looked at.
2. There isn't a lot of evidence to back up what you're critical thinking says. You use Myra Jehlen to dissagree with but maybe you could use someone to agree with.
3. Your critical thinking is used well, but I think you should expand more.
4. You have a claim, which counters Myra but you should use more evidennce to help you with the same view as you to support your opinion.
5. You could cite quotes from other critical essays that agree with you.
6.I think this part is fine.
7. It's really good, I get your main point you just need more evidence to back up your opinion!
1. the claim would be that the book is not sexist and you are disagreeing with jehlen.
2. you only used a couple of quotes. i thought they were good evidence of your point but i think you could add more in from jehlen or from the actual book.
3.i think you make good points but you could write more about how you came upon this opinion and the thoughts running through your head about the controversy.
4. both your quotes are counter-claims. they are both good quotes to use and you explained why you think differently than jehlen well.
5. i think you could use some quotes from the book and find an essay that the author also thinks the book is not sexist.
7. i think you have a good start and that you could add more quotes to support your thoughts and maybe say more about your critical thinking going on in your head.
Post a Comment