Exploring the Text

Exploring the Text

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  1. How would you characterize H. L. Mencken’s tone in the first sentence?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - How would you characterize H. L. Mencken’s tone in the first sentence?
  2. Mencken begins by praising female intelligence and then speaks of “the femaleness of cruelty, masochism or rouge.” Were those words surprising to read? What is the effect of such diction?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Mencken begins by praising female intelligence and then speaks of “the femaleness of cruelty, masochism or rouge.” Were those words surprising to read? What is the effect of such diction?
  3. How does Mencken characterize men? What is the effect of the parallelisms he uses?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - How does Mencken characterize men? What is the effect of the parallelisms he uses?
  4. Throughout the piece, Mencken uses highly varied word choice. Provide several examples of diction that is colloquial and diction that is elevated. What is the effect of such a contrast?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Throughout the piece, Mencken uses highly varied word choice. Provide several examples of diction that is colloquial and diction that is elevated. What is the effect of such a contrast?
  5. Mencken writes that “there is a certain specious appearance of soundness in their position; they have forced upon women an artificial character which well conceals their real character, and women have found it profitable to encourage the deception” (par. 2). What does he mean by that statement? Explain.

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - Mencken writes that “there is a certain specious appearance of soundness in their position; they have forced upon women an artificial character which well conceals their real character, and women have found it profitable to encourage the deception” (par. 2). What does he mean by that statement? Explain.
  6. What distinctions does Mencken make in paragraph 3?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - What distinctions does Mencken make in paragraph 3?
  7. How does Mencken characterize women in paragraph 4? What is the effect of the parallel structures he uses?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - How does Mencken characterize women in paragraph 4? What is the effect of the parallel structures he uses?
  8. In this piece, Mencken “praises” women. Consider the likely response of women readers. If you are female, what is your response? Do you feel praised? If you are male, how do you suppose women would respond to the piece?

    Question

    ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=
    Exploring the Text: - In this piece, Mencken “praises” women. Consider the likely response of women readers. If you are female, what is your response? Do you feel praised? If you are male, how do you suppose women would respond to the piece?