Susan B Anthony Analysis

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“Compensatory”- that was the word a history teacher once used to describe a paragraph on Susan B Anthony. When asked to expound he replied that she had no business in the chapter at hand. While his views on Ms. Anthony may not be particularly popular, the heart of his message is one with which most could come to agree. His emphatic response on the matter stems from a passionate belief that writing should be done with a purpose. When one sets out to write he or she should have a final goal in mind, and a targeted audience to which to direct his or her purposes. Regardless of whether the author’s purpose is to spark new ideas, catalyze creative cogs, or persuade the audience to a different belief, the end goal is to accomplish something. In order…show more content…
If the author has done their job correctly they will have supplied enough supporting evidence to either strengthen the audiences original beliefs (in the author’s favor) or to dissuade them to reconsider what they once held as true. This act of passing judgment, “the act of appraising, discriminating, sorting, adapting, transforming, and applying ideas”(Gage 76) can only be accomplished by a reader who has kept an open mind. An objective reader may find that some of his or her previously held beliefs conflict with those of the author. Such diversity in belief is a prelude to new thought processes, a catalyst to inspire alternative points of view, without them the types of respectful argument that inspire new ideas would wilt and the world would be left with the blandness of a singular idea. Such singular ideas are what intolerant readers hold near and dear to their hearts, they are the easy convictions that do not change because the reader does not allow them to do so. They are frozen in production, predictable and therefore comforting, but they will never realize the full potential that comes with interacting and discussing, and are therefore…show more content…
An ambitious author does not squander their time on those who refuse to at least consider fresh perspectives, for they know it is a waste of effort that could be put to good if applied elsewhere. Narrow-minded perspectives do not create, nor collaborate, nor inspire, they are stagnant and only accomplish in silencing creative thought. “It is the attitude of the open minded thinker, of someone who wishes to be responsible for deciding for herself or himself what to believe”(Gage 96) that gives life to an author’s work. When willing minds collaborate to discuss an idea, regardless of the final outcome, the author’s work becomes meaningful in society. In that moment where one person’s written words become entwined in language and thought, when an idea connects with streams of consciousness, when perspective joins the flow of conversation and consequently travel to the depths of unconsciousness, that is the moment when the author’s labors are made

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