Exploring the Text

1. What does Andrew Carnegie mean by this statement in the opening paragraph: “Much better this great irregularity than universal squalor”? How does this statement lay the foundation for the argument that follows?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Exploring the Text: - What does Andrew Carnegie mean by this statement in the opening paragraph: “Much better this great irregularity than universal squalor”? How does this statement lay the foundation for the argument that follows?
2. What forces and changes does Carnegie consider “inevitable” (par. 1) and why? In what ways does this perspective lay the foundation for his overall argument?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Exploring the Text: - What forces and changes does Carnegie consider “inevitable” (par. 1) and why? In what ways does this perspective lay the foundation for his overall argument?
3. What is the logic that Carnegie uses to conclude that the advantages of the “law of competition” (par. 5) outweigh any disadvantages? You might explain his logic through the use of a syllogism or Toulmin analysis.

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Exploring the Text: - What is the logic that Carnegie uses to conclude that the advantages of the “law of competition” (par. 5) outweigh any disadvantages? You might explain his logic through the use of a syllogism or Toulmin analysis.
4. Carnegie uses a number of familiar words that he either defines in narrow terms or assumes his audience understands. What is the meaning of each of the following terms in the context of Carnegie’s article: “civilization/civilized” (par. 1), “caste” (par. 4), “race” (par. 5), “progress” (par. 5), “trust fund” (par. 9), and “duty” (par. 9)?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Exploring the Text: - Carnegie uses a number of familiar words that he either defines in narrow terms or assumes his audience understands. What is the meaning of each of the following terms in the context of Carnegie’s article: “civilization/civilized” (par. 1), “caste” (par. 4), “race” (par. 5), “progress” (par. 5), “trust fund” (par. 9), and “duty” (par. 9)?
5. How does Carnegie believe the “reign of harmony” (par. 7) between rich and poor will be brought about? Why, according to him, must “indiscriminate charity” (par. 10) be eliminated to achieve such a reconciliation?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Exploring the Text: - How does Carnegie believe the “reign of harmony” (par. 7) between rich and poor will be brought about? Why, according to him, must “indiscriminate charity” (par. 10) be eliminated to achieve such a reconciliation?
6. Identify at least two counterarguments that Carnegie addresses. How effectively does he concede and refute each?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Exploring the Text: - Identify at least two counterarguments that Carnegie addresses. How effectively does he concede and refute each?
7. On what basis does Carnegie invoke Christian beliefs as part of his argument? What is the effect of calling his beliefs about wealth a “gospel”?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Exploring the Text: - On what basis does Carnegie invoke Christian beliefs as part of his argument? What is the effect of calling his beliefs about wealth a “gospel”?
8. To what extent has Carnegie’s belief that the wealthiest members of the community should be “trustee[s] for the poor” (par. 12) become an accepted tenet of American culture today?

   Question

   ALMF/kS1zzW73MouRsoXk1h0lKY=

   Exploring the Text: - To what extent has Carnegie’s belief that the wealthiest members of the community should be “trustee[s] for the poor” (par. 12) become an accepted tenet of American culture today?