QUESTIONS:
- Why, in Richard Dorment’s view, can men still not “have it all”? What in particular does he mean by “it all,” and what evidence does he provide to support his position?
- This article is a response to Anne-Marie Slaughter’s “Why Women Still Can’t Have It All” (pp. 534-554), and Dorment summarizes and quotes from that piece extensively. How fairly do you think he represents Slaughter’s views? Cite specific examples from his article in your answer.
(For question 2 I attached the Anne-Marie Slaughter’s article to answer it. “Why Women Still Can’t Have It All”). - Dorment published this article in Esquire, which calls itself “the magazine for men.” How can you tell that he has written his article primarily for a male audience? How might he revise the article, keeping the same basic argument, to appeal to an audience of women?
- Imagine you have a chance to speak with Dorment about this article. Write out what you’d say, remembering to frame your statement as a response to what he has said.
- Dorment’s writing is quite informal-colorful and in places even irreverent. How does it affect your response? Choose a paragraph on his article and dress it up, rewriting it in more formal, academic language. Which version do you find more appealing, and why?
Sample Answer