Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing, 7th ed. (Barnet/Bedau) - Essay Example

Argument Analysis Summary Susan Brownmiller’s essay, “Let’s Put Pornography Back in the Closet,” is very much concerned with how people are talking about pornography out of proportion. According to this essay, Brownmiller vehemently believes that even though there is some truth about the preposition of the First Amendment, many people use the same in exposing the anti-feminine agenda, which should not be the case. The author also have a strong belief that pornography should not be displayed in the public owing to the dangerous and humiliation it gives to the public. From Brownmiller’s essay, she claims that portraying pornographies to the public humiliates, dehumanizes, and degrades the female body in a bid to pleasure and erotic stimulation. Throughout the essay, Brownmiller attempts to address an issue, which has been overlooked all through for a long time. Throughout her essay, she has written against the publicizing the pornographic materials due to the effects they have on the individuals. Examining the Author’s Strategies There is no doubt despite the fact that the First Amendment within America provides space and the right to free speech, many people abuse this right hence engaging in both speech and activities that are likely to result into dehumanization, humiliation, and degradation of humanity. The ruling of the courts that sexual explicit content amounts to no obscenity has perpetrated the act of humiliating and dehumanizing human beings especially to the weaker sex. According to Brownmiller (59), there are specific facts that should be defended through arguments and discussions, unfortunately pornography should not be one of them. It is very humiliating and dehumanizing to see female bodies being stripped naked, bound to other aspects of molestations such as torture and rape in the name of erotic stimulation and pleasure. From this concept, it is true that despite involving discussions and arguments on some specific aspects of life, some are too sensitive to be left for discussion and arguments. Freedom of speech is important as provided for in the First Amendment. However, it is important to note that such freedom should not be abused through allowing different persons to engage in sensitive discussions and arguments. From the essay, it is undeniable that Brownmiller’s argument is of real value to humanity especially in terms of protecting the dignity of woman. The argument proposed by Brown miller is clearheaded thus regarded as a very vital response from a scholar who has seriously considered various aspects of the implications of the freedom of speech with respect to its application on ascertaining human dignity. Brownmiller has considered both sides of the argument before making conclusions. The essay is not an impassioned diatribe view of an individual with respect to protecting and promoting human dignity. According to her essay, Brownmiller’s thesis statement is that despite the fact that Americans enjoy so much freedom of speech, there has been so much abuse of the same freedom. As a result, many people have engaged in discussion and argument on some contentious issues such as pornography. Brownmiller’s position in the society is that there are topics touching dignity of humanity, which should not be discussed and argued in the public despite the provision of the freedom speech. Brownmiller supported her thesis through inclusion and discussion of the various aspects provided by law. Entrenching the provisions of the First Amendment in the discussion and argument in the thesis statement is very important. Such inclusion make Brownmiller attain her objective in arguing the fact that discussing concepts of pornography is not appealing despite the fact that the courts’ conclusion on explicit sexual context being no obscene. Pornography has been a subject that is very embarrassing on the eyes of various scholars especially Brownmiller. According to her, it is better if such subjects were left untouched as they contravene human dignity. To a large extent, Brownmiller fulfills her argument. She has managed to convince many readers, and other human beings that engaging in various aspects of pornographic discussion are unwarranted hence should be avoided. This has been through elaborating on the effects pornography has on our society and how it depicts women characters in the society by giving them negative perception. In any case, she is categorical that discussing and arguing on pornographic matters is irresponsible and only lead to inciting people in pushing for other people’s reactions. Notably, Brownmiller applied various concepts and analogies in carrying out her discussion and argument on the topic of pornography. In her examples, many people abuse certain freedoms and rights as in the freedom of speech. However, through an inclusive and extensive essay, Brownmiller is able to identify various topics that should not be discussed or argued as they lead to dehumanization and humiliation of human dignity. Her purpose in this essay of course, is to illuminate topics that do not require elaborate or extensive discussion and arguments especially in respect to having human dignity in place and at the heart. She was much against talking about sexuality related topics since they dehumanization and worked against the wellbeing of the people by depicting them in immoral perspective. Brownmiller’s purpose in writing up this essay stretches beyond discussing aspects of pornography but also to the issues which influences our perception. In fact, the purpose of developing this essay is to provide an understanding of various aspects of discussions and arguments, which are not supposed to be within the context of public freedom since many will abuse the same. It is undisputable that Brownmiller was trying to achieve some sanity with respect to different rights and freedoms especially those entrenched in laws and regulations of nations and societies. Consequently, in a bid to passing her message, Brownmiller aims at reaching various people especially those who abuse the rights and freedoms given to them. Despite the fact that her arguments and discussions attempt to protect the plight of women, Brownmiller majorly voice the societal more so female to different persons, the male counterparts mainly. It is obvious from her stunt tone in writing the essay that most men have taken advantage of their female counterparts hence making discussion and arguments on such topics very sensitive. Indeed, the male and the whole society’s audience should significantly learn some thing specific concerning human dignity. Following through Brownmiller’s essay, there is no doubt that it is a well-written and articulated work in which many readers would enjoy reading the same. The essay enjoins readers to be able to identify along the bureaucratic fog and see that pornography is very assaulting especially on women. It is also true that many people and institutions are losing grounds on the provisions of First Amendment. Such people and institutions end up confusing people in such aspects hence bring a lot of insanity in the society. There are statements that make a reader appreciate the gravity of the subject under discussion and argument since they tend to be so appealing. Indeed, this one of the most beautiful essays, which despite being written during the 1980s, has useful contents applicable in the contemporary world. Works Cited Brownmiller, Susan. “Let’s put pornography back in the closet” in Barnet, Sylvan, and Bedau, Hugo. Critical thinking, reading, and writing (7th Ed.). New York, NY: Bedford Publishers, 2010. Print. Read More