On the Contrary: Essays By Men and Women

Rainbolt, Martha and Fleetwood, Janet, Eds.

ISBN 10: 0873957202 / ISBN 13: 9780873957205

Published by State University of New York Press, Albany, N.Y., 1984

About this Item

340 pp. Paired essays by a male and female writer on each topic examine a variety of issues of life, some of them gender related, others pertaining to creativity and perception, such as the writing process. Designed as a resource for college classes, but livelier than the average textbook. Among the essays: Diana Trilling's "On the Death of Marilyn Monroe;" Tillie Olsen's "I Stand Here Ironing," a moving account of missed opportunities in motherhood, and Ring Lardner's "Some Like Them Cold." Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Seller Inventory # 001334

Bibliographic Details

Title: On the Contrary: Essays By Men and Women

Publisher: State University of New York Press, Albany, N.Y.

Publication Date: 1984

Binding: Trade Paperback

Book Condition: Good

About this title

Synopsis:

On The Contrary contains a balance of writings by men and women. The essays are presented in pairs, a man and a woman writing on each topic. This balanced juxtaposition allows students to discuss, think, and write about changing roles and relationships without being forced into either a feminist or traditionalist party line. The essays in each section reverberate suggestively with each other and this effect is reinforced by the discussion questions, writing topics, and introductory material.

An additional table of contents arranges the essays according to rhetorical rubrics.

Review:

“Rather than focusing on chimerical ‘modes’, the selections―as pairs―provide two often startlingly related perspectives. It would be fun to help students bounce Ecclesiastes off Suzanne Britt Jordan, or Goodman off Ciardi, or Steinem off Mano. And the ‘bouncing’ would not be only conceptual, but rhetorical and stylistic as well. Most everything shows up: the rolling power of the King James, Newsweekese, Morrow Lindbergh’s extended metaphor, Mencken’s wicked bite. A field day for us who love purpose, audience, and persona.” ― Stephen M. North