Name: Grace                                             Humanities

7th Grade                                                                         Comparative Essay

Sexism Won’t be Ignored

Theme: Sexism

Paragraph #1: Introductory Paragraph (GIT)

Grabber Statement (G):

Imagine everyone that you have ever known turning on you? It is the 17th century and you are being accused of witchcraft because you are a woman. You can’t stand up for yourself by yourself. You are dependent on your husband. Your life lies in his hands. Because of sexism, you could lose your life and there’s nothing you can do about it.

The introduction of Theme (I):

Women have been the target of sexism from the Salem Witch Trials, to the Red Scare, and even in present day. Women are in a never ending witch hunt, being denied rights and being treated like objects.

Thesis Statement (T):

Sexism has led women to be overlooked and denied for centuries because they don’t have the same recognition as men.

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Paragraph #2: Crucible Thematic Connection

Topic Sentence (T):

In The Crucible by Arthur, Miller women are treated like chattel, working and obeying men. They do as told and never speak out of turn even when they have the benefit of the doubt.

Explanatory Sentence (E):

Salem in 1692 was a sexist community where women were treated in a misogynistic way. People believed that women were supposed to act like housewives and not defend themselves. Those who did not conform were easy targets for witchcraft.

Evidence (E):

Mrs. Putnam says the following, in Act One of The Crucible. “I knew it! Goody Osburn was midwife to me three times. I begged you, Thomas, did I not? I begged him not to call Osburn because I feared her. My babies always shriveled in her hands!” (Page 64-65)

Analysis (A):

This is important because it shows a powerful woman accusing a woman of lower status, she is able to do this because she married a wealthy man. Mrs. Putnam is quick to blame another woman because her target is powerless. Mrs. Putnam dehumanized and scapegoated Osburn because she wanted to oppress others the way she was by her husband. The afflicted girls know that the men in society would most likely believe that women were witches rather than themselves. Salem was a sexist town where rich white men had all the power. Women were constantly scapegoated because they were powerless and dehumanized.

Concluding/ Transition (C):

Many innocent women were accused and killed because they didn’t have enough respect in the community to defend themselves.

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Paragraph #3: McCarthy/Red Scare Thematic Connection

Topic Sentence (T):

During the Mccarthy Era, the hard work that women did while the men were alway was not valued.

Explanatory Sentence (E):

While all the young men were fighting in the cold war women took the roles in businesses and the jobs that women weren’t expected to do. But when the men came back all the hard work that women did was not recognized. Women were forced to leave their new lives behind and work as a maid for their husbands. The baby boom was a time when the birth rate went up increasingly because women were used as objects to populate the country.

Evidence (E):

The meaning of Victory video states the following. “Women who had held all sorts of jobs during the war were expected to return to more conventional roles. As housewives, or secretaries, or adornment on a glamorous pedestal.” (Meaning of Victory: Post-War America (5:56)”

Analysis (A):

This quote is important because while the men were off in the war women took the more “Masqualen” jobs like accountants or baseball players. When the cold war ended women were expected to go home and give up the new life they were living, and they didn’t have a choice. Women were replaced with men even if they were harder working or better at their job. This shows that even though women were responsible for all the work they did while the men were away but they were not recognized for it. This is a sexist system because women are not valued enough to get recognition or receive credit that shows they worked hard.  

Concluding/ Transition (C):

Women were expected to step out of the way because men were more powerful and resected than them.

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Paragraph #4: Modern Day Witch Hunt Thematic Connection

Topic Sentence (T):

Women are the object of sexism and the government is too ignorant to prevent it. Instead, our government reinforces it, and more specifically our president does too.

Explanatory Sentence (E):

Women are constantly protesting for equal rights but the presidential administration keeps holding them back.

Evidence (E):

National Review newspaper states the following. “There is a great deal of anger in the air these days: anger at the state of the country, anger at the media, anger at the government, and anger at sweeping ignorance. There are good reasons to feel angry and concerned, especially for women, because, this past November, there was a wave of people willing to (at best) temporarily put aside and (at worst) completely ignore disturbing statements made on the campaign trail about women. These vulgarities ripped back the curtain to reveal how low on the ladder women are considered in some sections of society.” (women’s march on Washington link)

Analysis (A):

This is important because women have been getting pushed aside for decades and when we make progress, someone is in the way to hold us back. Women have finally come together to protest and make up for all the sexist acts since the Colonial Era. No matter how loud we chant it’s not loud enough for equality. We have been working towards equal pay, jobs, and recognition but apparently, there are bigger problems. Our government is too ignorant to see the people protesting right outside their window, most members in the Trump Administration are implicit with trumps actions because they are not the target of his sexist actions. Women are disempowered in this administration, with trumps sexist acts and policies. These orders and policies marginalize women and create a society that runs on fear. Is this the type of government we want people mimic or look up to?

Concluding/ Transition (C):

We need a government to support women, not side with men’s sexist acts.

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Paragraph #5: Concluding Paragraph (ROC)

Reflection on Thesis (R):

Although women have been oppressed and taken advantage of, there is hope that sexism will end and women are doing everything they can to create equality.

Overview of Main Points (O):

In The Salem Witch Trials, women were being betrayed and scapegoated because of false accusations. These accusations were dehumanizing and disempowering women more than they had ever been before. This repeated again during the Red Scare. Wealthy businessmen were manipulating their power and accusing the powerless of communism. Once again women were the target of sexism in modern day because they couldn’t defend themselves. And although we try to prevent it, many people are still treating women like chattel and not recognizing them for the work they do or the person behind the body. Men are choosing to be ignorant of women’s rights and they continue to force them to conform.

Concluding Idea (C):

It is completely unfair that after all the hard work women do they still seem to be overlooked as if they are invisible. People of power need to stand up for women’s rights and not ignore these problems. Many women have unconsciously volunteered their lives to try to make people recognize women but America has ignored them and for this women have suffered. We have made progress raising awareness for women’s rights yet still, people refuse to acknowledge women. Why are we letting stubborn wealthy figures control the progress of our country? Will this never ending witch hunt come to an end?