2A - Class response to Text A (Conduct Literature)

A bad example of a paragraph:

In text A, there is a clear attitude that women do not matter, which can be seen in the declarative, ‘woman who in her animalistic fashion wreaks havoc’. Here, the low-frequency adjective ‘animalistic and abstract noun ‘havoc’ show that women are seen as trouble causers.

No comparisons x

Doesn’t mention change x

Instead, do this:

Demonstrating a drastic change in attitudes toward women over time, there is a clear attitude in text A that women do not matter, which can be seen in the declarative, ‘woman who in her animalistic fashion wreaks havoc’. Here, the low-frequency adjective ‘animalistic and abstract noun ‘havoc’ show that women were seen as little more than animals, and evidently were oppressed by men at the time. This is in total contrast to text C which portrays all genders as ‘equal in all regards’. Here, the determiner ‘all’ expresses the modern view that it is no longer socially acceptable to discriminate against people based on gender due to the advent of PC in the 20^th century.

Mentions change

Makes a detailed comparison (they don't always have to be this detailed)

Text A analysis, done by the class. Look at how CONCISE the paragraphs are. Look at how the types of comparisons VARY. Look at how it begins by addressing CONVENTIONS, then moves on to ATTITUDES, PURPOSES etc.

To begin, a clear change on convention is clear through the archaic wording of the title of the text, ‘A mother’s blessing’, within which the abstract noun ‘blessing’ implies that the will of the parent is the most important factor in a person choosing their husband or wife. This is totally different to what we would expect in a modern context where we would expect any element of choice to be given to the individual themselves.

Additionally, a clear convention to promote virtues and respect within the individual can be seen where it says, ‘if hee want witte, discretion and policy he is unfit to marrie any woman’. Here, the abstract nouns ‘discretion’, ‘witte’ and ‘policy’ are used to promote standards for the reader, ensuring that they do not enter into a relationship selfishly, which differs from attitudes seen in text C which promote the self as the most important issue.

The way in which the text is structure demonstrates a change in convention over time regarding the way texts such as these are actually constructed and edited. Being from a pre-standardised era, there is evidence of long drawn out complex sentences such as, ‘If a man have not witte…marrie any woman.’ A modern reader would find this a particularly difficult text to read through due to the amount of additional subclauses within the sentence, which make it difficult to follow and rationalise. In a modern guide such as this, the reader would be more likely to expect the text to be organised into sections based on different subtopics, and for the sentences to be mainly simple with a gentle imperative tone.

An underlying attitude is present that men are ultimately in control over women, which demonstrates a drastic change from modern norms. This can be seen in the phrase ‘to chuse him one’, in which the dynamic verb ‘chuse’ clearly shows how women are seen as being there to satisfy men’s need when it suits them. This can also be seen when it says a man should ‘chuse a Godly wife’, where the low-frequency adjective ‘Godly’ implies that women are not only powerless to men, but are also expected to be seen as holy and faultless at all times too.

Perhaps surprisingly, there is an unexpected feminist attitude present where it says, ‘if she has no friends…leave her to him that can’. Here, the conditional conjunction ‘if’ demonstrates that men should be more thoughtful towards women, whereas the dynamic verb ‘leave’ suggests men should actually refrain from bothering a woman if he cannot offer her emotional security. This is different to Text B which implies that finding a life partner is a matter of great urgency.

Again, surprisingly, the tone employed by the female writer is perhaps unexpected of an era where women were seen as being less powerful and significant than their male counterparts. The archaic verb ‘methinks’ to begin the text sounds very opinionated, whereas the imperative phrase ‘leave her be’ once more appears to be giving direct instructions to the man with regards to how he should treat a woman. This would be unexpected for the time as, often, women were simply expected to be homemakers and housewives – so it seems strange that a woman has such power over a man, albeit her son.

Clearly, the writer of this text sees is as being particularly important to relate their writing to God, implying that God’s view of any future relationship is the most important factor. This can be seen in the phrase, ‘if he served GOD, he would obey GOD.’ Here, the verbs ‘serve’ and ‘obey’ give clear instruction to the son, instructing him to reserve God as his most important standard and judge for the remainder of his life. This contrasts Text C which portrays the happiness of the individual as the most important factor.