Exploring the Text

1. How does Ben Franklin develop Polly Baker into a sympathetic character? What ethos does the character establish at the outset?

   Question

   uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7

   Chapter 8 - The Speech of Miss Polly Baker - Exploring the Text: How does Ben Franklin develop Polly Baker into a sympathetic character? What ethos does the character establish at the outset?
2. What is the basic argument that Polly makes? Try explaining it through a syllogism, a series of syllogisms, or the Toulmin model (see Chapter 3).

   Question

   uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7

   Chapter 8 - The Speech of Miss Polly Baker - Exploring the Text: What is the basic argument that Polly makes? Try explaining it through a syllogism, a series of syllogisms, or the Toulmin model (see Chapter 3).
3. What evidence does Polly present in her defense?

   Question

   uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7

   Chapter 8 - The Speech of Miss Polly Baker - Exploring the Text: What evidence does Polly present in her defense?
4. How does Polly anticipate counterarguments? What examples of concession and refutation do you find?

   Question

   uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7

   Chapter 8 - The Speech of Miss Polly Baker - Exploring the Text: How does Polly anticipate counterarguments? What examples of concession and refutation do you find?
5. What is the effect of the rhetorical questions Polly asks? Refer to specific examples in your response.

   Question

   uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7

   Chapter 8 - The Speech of Miss Polly Baker - Exploring the Text: What is the effect of the rhetorical questions Polly asks? Refer to specific examples in your response.
6. How does Polly tailor her argument (or does she?) to the particular audience of the magistrates?

   Question

   uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7

   Chapter 8 - The Speech of Miss Polly Baker - Exploring the Text: How does Polly tailor her argument (or does she?) to the particular audience of the magistrates?
7. Outline the logic of Polly’s argument that she should, in fact, be rewarded instead of punished. Go a step further, and show how she turns the law’s logic on itself to argue that the bachelors in the community are the ones guilty of “a greater Offence against the Publick Good” (para. 6).

   Question

   uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7

   Chapter 8 - The Speech of Miss Polly Baker - Exploring the Text: Outline the logic of Polly’s argument that she should, in fact, be rewarded instead of punished. Go a step further, and show how she turns the law’s logic on itself to argue that the bachelors in the community are the ones guilty of “a greater Offence against the Publick Good” (para. 6).
8. What instances of a double standard does Polly point out? Pay close attention to the examples of men’s behavior being seen in an entirely different light than women’s in the same situation.

   Question

   uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7

   Chapter 8 - The Speech of Miss Polly Baker - Exploring the Text: What instances of a double standard does Polly point out? Pay close attention to the examples of men’s behavior being seen in an entirely different light than women’s in the same situation.
9. How do the diction and syntax establish Polly as a humble, obedient woman?

   Question

   uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7

   Chapter 8 - The Speech of Miss Polly Baker - Exploring the Text: How do the diction and syntax establish Polly as a humble, obedient woman?
10. If you did not know that Polly was a fictional character created by an author whose intent is to criticize a practice or system, what clues might you notice that suggest something is below the surface? Consider elements of satire such as hyperbole, understatement, connotative language, double entendres, and puns.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7

    Chapter 8 - The Speech of Miss Polly Baker - Exploring the Text: If you did not know that Polly was a fictional character created by an author whose intent is to criticize a practice or system, what clues might you notice that suggest something is below the surface? Consider elements of satire such as hyperbole, understatement, connotative language, double entendres, and puns.
11. What does Franklin achieve by writing in the voice of a woman and creating this fictional scenario rather than simply writing a straightforward criticism of a system that he believes treats women unfairly?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7

    Chapter 8 - The Speech of Miss Polly Baker - Exploring the Text: What does Franklin achieve by writing in the voice of a woman and creating this fictional scenario rather than simply writing a straightforward criticism of a system that he believes treats women unfairly?
12. Compare and contrast the rhetorical strategies used by Franklin with those of Jonathan Swift in his satire “A Modest Proposal” (p. 404).

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7

    Chapter 8 - The Speech of Miss Polly Baker - Exploring the Text: Compare and contrast the rhetorical strategies used by Franklin with those of Jonathan Swift in his satire “A Modest Proposal” (p. 404).