Summary
With “Transgender Rhetorics: (Re)Composing Narratives of the
Gendered Body” Jonathan Alexander attempts to show the capabilities of
transgender theories and how they can help shape gender as social constructs.
Alexander goes on to suggest that looking at gender through a new perspective
will help us view gender as potent subject matter and, ultimately, accepted
reality.
Synthesis
I’m reminded of Smitherman here. Both Smitherman and
Alexander examine minority cultures and how they can affect writing, rhetoric,
life. The discourse community is also touched on. You can see strands of Gee,
or at least a community he would label impenetrable. Also Wardle, and her
concept of identity.
Applying and Exploring Ideas
3. “Normally” gendered students are given a perspective that
is far from common. Examining the transgendered human being, I think you’re
able to really dissect gender and ask yourself what it means to be a male or a
female. There are obvious differences: physical, social, economic. I’m not
really sure if this discourse is more substantial or eye-opening than some of
the other minority discourses we’ve examined this semester. It’s certainly less
common. So in that sense, maybe.
4. I think Alexander describes gender as a construct because
it’s used as a platform for writing. It is both a personal and political
construct because everybody’s sex is something no one else can experience. Yes,
there are billions of men and women, but the way gender affects every human
being is different. Gender is political because mouths must be watched when
discussing it. Blatant disregard for either gender will likely come off as
sexist. We should discuss gender in the classroom because, in my opinion, it
shapes so much writing, whether consciously or subconsciously.
Personal Response
I find the transgender community very interesting. I think
gender is a topic that will always hold weight and be ripe with potential
material. I did find Alexander’s writing a bit difficult at times, but it wasn’t
detrimental. Once again, like always, the length. But that’s enough about that.
Overall, I found this interesting, as it did prompt me to ask questions and
examine gender more than I usually tend to.
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