Exploring the Text

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

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - How does Benjamin 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

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    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

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    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

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    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

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What is the effect of the rhetorical questions Polly asks? Refer to specific examples in your response.
  6. Does Polly tailor her argument to the particular audience of magistrates? If so, how? If not, explain why.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Does Polly tailor her argument to the particular audience of magistrates? If so, how? If not, explain why.
  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” (par. 6).

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    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” (par. 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

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    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

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    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

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    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

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    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?