Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History
The text “Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History” provides a history of the phrase and how it has been used in different contexts over the years to empower women. The author explains that the phrase has played a significant role in fighting pornography, rape, sexual harassment, and unrealistic beauty standards since a young woman began printing it on t-shirts and selling them across Portugal. The author also explains how other authors have used the phrase in their books to demonstrate how women are perceived in society. The author also explains how the phrase applies to modern American culture and how various women in history bring out its meaning based on how they were treated in society and the challenges they encountered to get a place in society. Although the phrase was only meant to capture the attention of the audience of a scholarly article published in 1976, its popularity since 1995 signifies the rediscovery of feminism by reminding people about women’s longstanding stereotypes about innate decorum and invisibility.
Main argument
The article’s structure includes an introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction section briefly explains the phrase “Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History” and how it has gained popularity since 1995. The author mentions some of the people who contributed to the phrase’s popularity, including the books and magazines that have used the phrase. The body section is divided into various sections. The first section includes the author’s main argument, indicating why the phrase is relevant in popular culture. The author’s main argument states, “The “well-behaved women” quote works because it plays into longstanding stereotypes about the invisibility and the innate decorum of the female sex” (Bullock et al., p.716). The author explains this argument by providing evidence of how the notion that women’s contribution to society revolves around being caregivers, mothers, and wives has been captured in a book by a pastor in New Hampshire. The author further explains the weaknesses in the argument before transitioning to the next section of the body. The second section discusses how history created a foundation for the development of stereotypes about women. The author narrates how Mae West, a Sweet Potato Queens scholarship heroine, experienced challenges in pushing to break women’s stereotypes. The author states that although Mae West was an icon among women for creating a successful career by using her sexuality to appeal to her audience, most studies focus on her failures, such as her debts. The third section of the body discusses what the author has learned from writing about women’s work. She then writes the conclusion, including her thoughts on how people make history. She concludes that people make history by living their lives, turning other people’s lives into slogans or books, and creating records.
Rhetoric devices
One of the rhetorical devices used in the article is metaphors. The author uses metaphors to help the audience understand some of the complex ideas in the article. For example, the metaphor, “History is a conversation and sometimes a shouting match between present and past” (Bullock et al., p.724), is used to explain how history includes concepts from the past and the present, thus shaping the message about the longstanding women stereotypes in society and how they have been shaped by the changes in women’s experiences in the past and present times. The second rhetorical device is imagery. The author uses imagery to draw the audience’s interest in the text and the significance of the phrase “bb” in society. For instance, the statement “You’ll be delighted to know that you are quoted frequently on bumpers in Berkeley” (Bullock et al., p.715) demonstrates the use of imagery to enable the audience to imagine the phrase’s popularity and its role in empowering women to push against the longstanding stereotypes against the female gender in society. The imagery enhances the message by demonstrating that most people in society acknowledge the phrase and are interested in helping women overcome the barriers created by the longstanding stereotypes against them.
Audience and Purpose
The article’s audience is women in societies dominated by stereotypes that consider the female sex invisible and fit for specific roles such as caregiving, childbearing, and being wives. The author aims to empower women to focus on achieving more and fighting against stereotypes. This purpose influences the text by dictating the content that the author emphasizes in different parts of the article and the development of arguments from the introduction to the conclusion. For instance, the author begins by acknowledging the existence of longstanding stereotypes against women in society before transitioning to the narration of how various women have managed to push against the stereotypes throughout history to prove to the audience that it is possible to be successful as a woman in a society where women stereotypes are upheld when assigning roles to women.
Conclusion
The phrase. “Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History” is essential to empowering women to overcome longstanding stereotypes against them. Although the phrase was only meant to capture the attention of the audience of a scholarly article published in 1976, its popularity since 1995 signifies the rediscovery of feminism by reminding people about women’s longstanding stereotypes about innate decorum and invisibility. Women can make a significant change in society by being part of the history that shapes the elimination of the longstanding stereotypes against them. For example, they can make history by living their lives, turning other people’s lives into slogans or books, and creating records.
Works Cited
Bullock, Richard H., et al. The Norton Field Guide to Writing. W. W. Norton & Company, 2019.
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Question 
Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History
As, we’ll delve into the art of writing a textual analysis essay—a crucial skill you’ll carry with you throughout your academic journey. Specifically, we’ll explore analyzing Laurel Thatcher Ulrich’s essay, “Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History.”
Step 1: Read and understand the Text
Begin by reading the text attentively. Take notes on key themes, arguments, and the author’s style.
Step 2: Identify the Thesis
Pinpoint the central argument or thesis of the text. What is the author’s main point or message?
Step 3: Analyze the Structure
Examine the text’s structure. Identify the introduction, body, and conclusion. Look for patterns and transitions.
Step 4: Investigate Rhetorical Devices
Explore the author’s use of rhetorical devices (e.g., imagery, metaphor, tone). How do these enhance or shape the message?
Step 5: Consider the Audience and Purpose
Analyze who the intended audience is and what purpose the author seeks to achieve. How do these factors influence the text?
Step 6: Formulate Your Thesis
Develop your thesis statement. What is your overarching interpretation of the text? Your thesis should be arguable and concise. Revise your preliminary thesis after you complete your body paragraphs and conclusion.
Step 7: Craft the Introduction
Introduce the text and author, provide the context, and present your thesis. Engage your reader from the start.
Step 8: Body Paragraphs
Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of your analysis. Provide evidence from the text to support your claims. Be sure to analyze rather than summarize.
Step 9: Conclusion
Summarize your main points and restate your thesis. Leave your reader with a thought-provoking conclusion.
Step 10: Revise and Edit
Review your essay for clarity, coherence, and grammar.
Textual Analysis Essay Assignment: “Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History” by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Essay Instructions:
Read and thoroughly analyze Laurel Thatcher Ulrich’s essay, “Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History.”
Develop a thesis that interprets the main themes and arguments of the text.
Craft an essay that explores the structure, rhetorical devices, audience, and purpose of Ulrich’s essay.
Your essay should be 800+ words, well-organized, and demonstrate critical thinking.
You must turn in your essay as a Microsoft word document in MLA format