In the opening paragraph, Firoozeh Dumas gives several examples of names of her family members and friends, contrasting the meaning of each name and the version given by Americans. Is it funny? Is it inappropriate? What different perspectives is she asking her readers to see?
Chapter 10 - The “F Word” - Exploring the Text: In the opening paragraph, Firoozeh Dumas gives several examples of names of her family members and friends, contrasting the meaning of each name and the version given by Americans. Is it funny? Is it inappropriate? What different perspectives is she asking her readers to see?
What rhetorical strategies does Dumas employ in paragraph 2 to establish a lively conversational tone? Where do you detect sarcasm?
Chapter 10 - The “F Word” - Exploring the Text: What rhetorical strategies does Dumas employ in paragraph 2 to establish a lively conversational tone? Where do you detect sarcasm?
At the end of paragraph 2, Dumas introduces the metaphor of “new spices [in] the kitchen pantry.” How does she develop this metaphor as the essay continues? Do you find it an effective or ineffective way to talk about the issues she raises? Explain your response.
Chapter 10 - The “F Word” - Exploring the Text: At the end of paragraph 2, Dumas introduces the metaphor of “new spices [in] the kitchen pantry.” How does she develop this metaphor as the essay continues? Do you find it an effective or ineffective way to talk about the issues she raises? Explain your response.
How does Dumas characterize the people she met in Berkeley, California (para. 9)? Do you think she is stereotyping them? Explain.
Chapter 10 - The “F Word” - Exploring the Text: How does Dumas characterize the people she met in Berkeley, California (para. 9)? Do you think she is stereotyping them? Explain.
What points does the story of Dumas’s decision to change her name allow her to make about both her own family and Americans? How does it prove the assertion that “sometimes simplifying one’s life in the short run only complicates it in the long run” (para. 3)?
Chapter 10 - The “F Word” - Exploring the Text: What points does the story of Dumas’s decision to change her name allow her to make about both her own family and Americans? How does it prove the assertion that “sometimes simplifying one’s life in the short run only complicates it in the long run” (para. 3)?
In paragraph 12, Dumas describes how having her American name Julie and speaking without an accent was like having “X-ray glasses that let you see people undressed.” What other references to popular culture do you find, and why do you think Dumas includes them?
Chapter 10 - The “F Word” - Exploring the Text: In paragraph 12, Dumas describes how having her American name Julie and speaking without an accent was like having “X-ray glasses that let you see people undressed.” What other references to popular culture do you find, and why do you think Dumas includes them?
How does Dumas characterize Americans? Do you agree with her characterization? Given the fact that her audience is likely to be primarily Americans, to what extent do you think she risks antagonizing or offending them? Explain.
Chapter 10 - The “F Word” - Exploring the Text: How does Dumas characterize Americans? Do you agree with her characterization? Given the fact that her audience is likely to be primarily Americans, to what extent do you think she risks antagonizing or offending them? Explain.
What is the argument Dumas is making? What is her claim? What evidence does she provide as support?
Chapter 10 - The “F Word” - Exploring the Text: What is the argument Dumas is making? What is her claim? What evidence does she provide as support?
How does Dumas use humor to develop her argument? Identify specific examples, and discuss how each contributes to Dumas achieving her purpose(s). Are some more effective than others? Why?
Chapter 10 - The “F Word” - Exploring the Text: How does Dumas use humor to develop her argument? Identify specific examples, and discuss how each contributes to Dumas achieving her purpose(s). Are some more effective than others? Why?
Overall, how would you characterize her tone? Consider the role of humor in your response—that is, whether Dumas is amusing, sarcastic, playful, bitter, or a combination.
Chapter 10 - The “F Word” - Exploring the Text: Overall, how would you characterize her tone? Consider the role of humor in your response—that is, whether Dumas is amusing, sarcastic, playful, bitter, or a combination.