Exploring the Text

  1. Ellen Goodman begins her column by establishing that she is taking a walk on the beach, where she meets a ten-year-old who prompts her to reflect on the nature of family. What are the benefits and liabilities of Goodman making herself a character in her own column?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 6 - The Family That Stretches (Together) - Exploring the Text: Ellen Goodman begins her column by establishing that she is taking a walk on the beach, where she meets a ten-year-old who prompts her to reflect on the nature of family. What are the benefits and liabilities of Goodman making herself a character in her own column?
  2. Do you agree that the ten-year-old, “in her own unselfconscious way, is a fine researcher” (para. 5)? Why or why not? What effect does Goodman achieve by letting the girl provide the subject and viewpoint rather than raising it on her own?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 6 - The Family That Stretches (Together) - Exploring the Text: Do you agree that the ten-year-old, “in her own unselfconscious way, is a fine researcher” (para. 5)? Why or why not? What effect does Goodman achieve by letting the girl provide the subject and viewpoint rather than raising it on her own?
  3. Examine Goodman’s use of evidence. What actual facts and figures does she call on in her essay? Would having more, along with expert testimony from academic researchers, psychologists, and the like, have strengthened her viewpoint? Explain.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 6 - The Family That Stretches (Together) - Exploring the Text: Examine Goodman’s use of evidence. What actual facts and figures does she call on in her essay? Would having more, along with expert testimony from academic researchers, psychologists, and the like, have strengthened her viewpoint? Explain.
  4. Overall, what is Goodman’s attitude toward a society where the norm has become families that “are determined by decrees, rather than genes” (para. 8)? Cite specific passages to support your response.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 6 - The Family That Stretches (Together) - Exploring the Text: Overall, what is Goodman’s attitude toward a society where the norm has become families that “are determined by decrees, rather than genes” (para. 8)? Cite specific passages to support your response.
  5. What does Goodman mean by this statement: “Our reality is more flexible and our relationships more supportive than our language” (para. 16)? What are some examples outside of family connections that might illustrate this point?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 6 - The Family That Stretches (Together) - Exploring the Text: What does Goodman mean by this statement: “Our reality is more flexible and our relationships more supportive than our language” (para. 16)? What are some examples outside of family connections that might illustrate this point?
  6. How would you describe the tone of this essay? Is Goodman tolerant, critical, optimistic, skeptical, reflective—or a combination of these or other descriptors?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 6 - The Family That Stretches (Together) - Exploring the Text: How would you describe the tone of this essay? Is Goodman tolerant, critical, optimistic, skeptical, reflective—or a combination of these or other descriptors?
  7. Goodman wrote this essay in 1983. To what extent do you think that it remains true today?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 6 - The Family That Stretches (Together) - Exploring the Text: Goodman wrote this essay in 1983. To what extent do you think that it remains true today?
  8. Elsewhere, Goodman has written that she is interested in exploring the importance “for all of us to make links between our personal lives and public issues.” In what ways does this essay encourage us to make those links?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 6 - The Family That Stretches (Together) - Exploring the Text: Elsewhere, Goodman has written that she is interested in exploring the importance “for all of us to make links between our personal lives and public issues.” In what ways does this essay encourage us to make those links?