Before I start, I want to say that I am not anti-feminist; I completely agree that men and women should have equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal pay.
Now, this week we read a piece titled "There is No Unmarked Women." As interesting as it was, I somehow felt uncomfortable while reading it. It wasn't the content, either--I understood nearly all of what Tanner was trying to convey (I think) and I saw why she would write a piece like this. After a while, I finally realized what it was--what I disliked wasn't the ideas, but the way in which she was conveying them.
Somehow, when I was reading the piece, instead of feeling like the ideas were just being presented and evaluated for me, I felt like Tanner was trying to force her beliefs down my throat. Whenever she kept on repeating stuff like "All married women's surnames are marked" (Tanner 391) and "Women can't even fill out a form without telling stories about themselves" (Tanner 390), I kept on getting the sense that she wasn't giving me any other options to believe; instead of presenting her ideas rationally and calmly, she was very aggressive about it. I found it really interesting that I got this impression, seeing as how her essay contains 2 exclamation points (both of them describing reactions to her beliefs).
I made a weird connection while writing this post--somehow, her writing reminds me of Jehovah's Witnesses. You know, those people that come up to your door and ask you if you have time to talk about Jesus or whatever? And then from there, I made another weird leap--Tanner's writing is a lot like Puritan beliefs back in The Scarlet Letter! Like Tanner, the Puritans believed that their views was the only right one, and would aggressively attempt to convert other people to their beliefs. The connection, though stretched, allows for a better understanding of the attitudes of the Puritans and gives a general idea of the beliefs of the society Hester rebelled against.
Now, this week we read a piece titled "There is No Unmarked Women." As interesting as it was, I somehow felt uncomfortable while reading it. It wasn't the content, either--I understood nearly all of what Tanner was trying to convey (I think) and I saw why she would write a piece like this. After a while, I finally realized what it was--what I disliked wasn't the ideas, but the way in which she was conveying them.
Somehow, when I was reading the piece, instead of feeling like the ideas were just being presented and evaluated for me, I felt like Tanner was trying to force her beliefs down my throat. Whenever she kept on repeating stuff like "All married women's surnames are marked" (Tanner 391) and "Women can't even fill out a form without telling stories about themselves" (Tanner 390), I kept on getting the sense that she wasn't giving me any other options to believe; instead of presenting her ideas rationally and calmly, she was very aggressive about it. I found it really interesting that I got this impression, seeing as how her essay contains 2 exclamation points (both of them describing reactions to her beliefs).
I made a weird connection while writing this post--somehow, her writing reminds me of Jehovah's Witnesses. You know, those people that come up to your door and ask you if you have time to talk about Jesus or whatever? And then from there, I made another weird leap--Tanner's writing is a lot like Puritan beliefs back in The Scarlet Letter! Like Tanner, the Puritans believed that their views was the only right one, and would aggressively attempt to convert other people to their beliefs. The connection, though stretched, allows for a better understanding of the attitudes of the Puritans and gives a general idea of the beliefs of the society Hester rebelled against.
This car is an example of a Jehovah's Witness.
Jehovah's witnesses don't believe in Jesus (at least, not in the same way most Christians do), but I get your point.
ReplyDeleteOther than the way she was presenting it, I take it that you found no flaw in her logic. Would you agree with this statement?
I AGREE! When I read this piece I couldn't help but feel like her beliefs were being forced now my throat.
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting that you say that about the piece. I see where you are coming from. Also, I feel like guys would tend to say that about Tannen while girls are quicker to agree with all of Tannen's arguments.
ReplyDeleteI liked your disclaimer at the beginning...I agree with Tannen, but I completely see where you are coming from. Tannen makes so many bold statements that give you no say in what you can believe about the piece. Nice connections at the end too!
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with your argument. I never saw it from your perspective.
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