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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 3 page essay that analyzes the rhetorical devices used by Fatema Mernissi in her critique of Western societal expectations for women's body size. No additional sources are cited.
Page Count:
3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: KL9_khmernissi.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
Six: The Western Womens Harem," author Fatema Mernissi makes the salient point that there is more than one way for a society to enforce patriarchal dominance. Her essay succeeds admirably
in arguing that the societal expectations in regards to womens body size are ridiculous, unnatural and serve to reinforce the male dominance due to the effect that this has on
womens self-esteem. Mernissi, a Moroccan sociologist, introduces her topic by describing a shopping trip experience she had while in New York City. She describes herself as entering the department
store "triumphantly," as a "sovereign consumer ready to spend money" (Mernissi). Her objective was to buy a cotton skirt, but she was informed that her hips were too large
to fit into a size six, which, along with a size four, the saleslady assured her was the "norm." In relating this
incident, Mernissi uses several devices that serve to convey to the reader the emotional content of the experience. For example, the salesladys tone and attitude are condescending and she offers
her comments on Mernissis size in a manner that reminds the author of an "Imams fatwa" (Mernissi). The ladys voice had a "clear-cut edge to it that is typical of
those who enforce religious laws" (Mernissi). In other words, by being larger than a size six, Mernissi, in the salesladys opinion has violated a basic societal dictum. The author
goes on to relate that, in Morocco, her hips were viewed quite favorably by men, but despite a lifetime of not basing her self of self-worth on what others think,
Mernissi confesses to be temporarily shaken, as she felt "savagely attacked" (Mernissi). By describing this change in personal perspective, the author shows how intense degree to which the way one
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