#29 "Composing as a Woman"

Flynn, Elizabeth. "Composting as a Women." College Composition and Communication 39.4 (1998). Print.

Flynn, Elizabeth. "Contextualizing 'Composing as a Women.'" From Feminism and Composition: A
     Critical Source Book, edited by Gesa E. Kirsch, et al (2003). Print.

Summary

    

     In her essay, "Composting as a Women," Flynn discusses the differences between female and male writing. She argues that female writing is more about relationships with others and how they are developed over a period of time. She argues that male writing is more independent and does not focus on how others helped them to reach their goal or task. In her follow up review (15 years later), she admits that some of her findings are incorrect and have definitely changed within the past 15 years.

Dialectical Notebook

In this column you RESPOND to the quotes	In this column you TYPE OUT the quote
This idea, which is in Flynn’s Feminist Studies and Composition section, is similar to Berger’s topic in his article (which we read near the beginning of the semester). Flynn argues that women’s views are suppressed and silenced, in order for the imbalanced social order to exist and continue to be carried out.	“Men become the standard against which women are judged” (157).
When Flynn first said this I did not think she was correct. She said that females grow and learn primarily learn for their mothers, therefore relationships are more potent in their writing. But I must admit, her examples do a nice job of proving how her point could be seen as correct.	“[Women] develop through and stress particularistic and affective relationships to others” (158).
Flynn was not the one that found this “discovery.” Belenky et al found this from their study. Maybe this was true back in 1988, but I know this is considered a false assumption today. I think that silent women know more than most would expect, they just tend to keep their ideas to themselves.	“Silent women have little awareness of their intellectual capacities” (159).
This is one of the examples that Flynn gives that I was saying was a good one to prove her point. Kim did focus on how all the women involved in the story bond over how the memories they made during the long drive down the country road. Now obviously, one example isn’t going to support such a large claim, but it is a good start and convincing.	“The experience solidified relationships and led to the formation of a close bond that was renewed every time the day was recollected” (159).
Flynn proves how Jim’s writing reflects her claims on male writing compositions. Like I said in the summary, she argues that males are more independent with their writing, and don’t usually include others in the writing. The fact that Jim only talked about how he achieved his goal and did not have help from others proves her idea.	“He as achieves his goal in the face of adversity” (161).
I actually really like this quote. Flynn encourages teachers (her audience) to not be afraid to let their female students to embrace their role. Just because they write about different relationships, doesn’t mean it will be bad writing. She also encourages them to not be afraid to try to break out of the role, and see where that takes them.	“But we must also encourage them to become self-consciously aware of what their experiences in the world has been and how this experience is related to the politics of gender” (164).