Brendan Donohue

English 123 D

Prof. Cripps

April 19th, 2018

Added Language for the

Complication of Argument

Communication is the means by which information between individuals or places is exchanged. What started out as grunts, moans and cave paintings, has progressed into one of the most complicated practices, amongst the most intelligent species. Communication is complicated, and is conducted in nearly 7,000 different languages across the globe. However, written language is an evolution of communication that has allowed for a more efficient and permanent means of exchanging ideas, opinions and information. Authors Richard Miller and Ann Jurecic discuss the complexities of language in their book Habits of the Creative Mind. Roxane Gay is an American writer and professor most noted for her collection of essays titled Bad Feminist. In an effort evaluate the ideas of Miller and Jurecic on complexities of modern language, I will examine Roxane Gay’s use of and, but, or in Bad Feminist.

Roxane Gay is a self proclaimed feminist who struggles to fully embody what other female figures consider to be “essential feminism”. She weighs the pros and cons of what modern feminism is supposed to be and how she feels aspects of it obfuscate her. In her take on “essential feminism” Gay suggests it represents “anger, militancy, unwavering principle… or at least a proper white, heterosexual, feminist woman.” In her description Gay uses they word “or”, which is “on the three most important words in the english language” according to Miller and Jurecic. Miller and Jurecic say that “or” has the power to enable alternatives and possibilities. I believe Miller and Jurecic are correct is their assessment of what “or” is capable of doing, as Gay’s claim of “essential feminism” uses “or” in that exact manner. “Essential feminism” can “anger, militancy, unwavering principle” or as an alternative, “essential feminism” can “at least a proper white, heterosexual, feminist woman” (Gay). Gay goes on later in her paper to again use “or” in the same capacity to complicate her argument on modern feminism.

Gay feels there are many issues with “essential feminism”, one of which is the way it limits the personal freedoms of the those who enter it’s discourse. “The most significant problem with essential feminism is how it doesn’t allow for the complexities of human experience or individuality” (Gay). This claim from Gay’s Bad Feminist again shows the use of “or” as means of complicating her argument. Her use of “or” enables the alternative of “essential feminism” not “allow for the complexities of human experience” or allowing for “individuality”. This usage by Gay exactly represents what Miller and Jurecic suggest “or” is capable of. In a similarly successful fashion, Gay uses the word “but” exactly how Miller and Jurecic proclaim it should be used.

In Gay’s discussion of her ideal relationship she touches on the topic of sexual pleasure and uses “but”, which is the second of Miller and Jurecic’s “three most important words in the english language”. Gay says “I am a fan of orgasms, but they take time, and in many instances I don’t want to waste that time.” Miller and Jurecic say “but” “enables qualifications, exceptions, conditions.” Miller and Jurecic are exactly right in their assessment of what “but” is capable of. I believe this to be true because Gay shows evidence of it. “I am a fan of orgasm” is Gay’s claim, “but” is her introducing a qualification of the fact “they take time, and in many instances I don’t want to waste that time.” Gay’s use of “but” equally shows evidence of an exception to the enjoyment of orgasms as well as the condition in which they are able to be enjoyed. Gay goes on to successfully use “but” in her discussion of relinquishing power in her relationship.

A significant attribute of feminism is to be independant and not shackled by the chains of a patriarchal relationship. Gay acknowledges her own desire to have this, however, Gay also admits to wanting to relinquish control and have someone else take care of her. Gay uses “but” to facilitate her contradiction in desire by saying “I want to be independent, but I want to be taken care of and have someone to come home to.” Later in the same paragraph Gay says “I want to be in charge and respected and in control, but I want to surrender, completely, in a certain aspects of my life.” Again in this example Gay acknowledges her desire to be “…in charge and respected and in control…” while simultaneously the desire to “surrender”. Gay makes this paradoxical claim fluid and understandable by establishing “exception” and “condition” through the use of “but”. This insertion of “exception” and “condition” comes directly from Miller and Jurecic’s claim on the power of what “but” can accomplish. Gay repeatedly uses “but” exactly how Miller and Jurecic prescribe.

Miller and Jurecic makes strong claims of what “ the three most important words in the english language” are capable of doing. There is evidence in Gay’s writing that shows these words can truly complicate and support ideas and claims which may otherwise be unsuccessful. Miller and Jurecic’s claims that “or” “has the power to enable alternatives and possibilities”, while “but” “enables qualifications, exceptions, conditions” are true because evidence of such usage is evident in Roxane Gay’s Bad Feminist.

 

Literature Cited

Gay, Roxane. “Bad Feminist.” Roxane Gay, 22 Sept. 2012, www.roxanegay.com/bad-feminist/.

Miller, Richard E., and Ann Jurecic. Habits of the Creative Mind. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2016.