Outside Reading Set #5: Reflective Essay

3/21/11

“Marriage: The Beginning or the End?”

Jeremy Worsham

Reflective Essay

http://www.pifmagazine.com/1998/04/marriage-the-beginning-or-the-end/

Jeremy Worsham begins his essay with a largely mellow, musing tone. Towards the end of his piece however, his tone grows stronger and gains conviction; this change demonstrates the solid conclusion he draws at the end of his reflection. Worsham’s initial tone prepares readers for the philosophical questions he attempts to address: “Who was it that came up with the institution of marriage? Was it a man or; was it a woman? Let’s assume that men invented marriage; what would be his reasons for doing so?” These rhetorical questions not only function to introduce new ideas, but also illustrate his thoughtful air. The repetition of “Was it a…” allows readers to follow his thoughts more intimately; it is almost as if Worsham is simply thinking aloud. By using this syntactical repetition, Worsham makes readers feel more like his friends, influencing them to become more receptive to the content of his piece. Sometimes, Worsham employs details such as parenthetical asides, which also increases his familiarity with the readers.

Prevalent in Worsham’s language are phrases such as “Take for instance…” and “Now let’s assume…” Again, these phrases create a thoughtful, conversational tone. It is almost as if Worsham is inviting readers in, especially when he uses first person plural. Along with language choices, Worsham uses specific diction to illustrate his points and set his tone, particularly when his tone changes from lighthearted philosophizing to purposeful analysis. Once again addressing readers, he says: “Here we have a blatant celebration of the free man, free of course from the duties required of a married man.” It is not any celebration, but a “blatant” celebration. By calling on the connotations of this particular word, Worsham exposes the fundamental differences between men and women. In addition to making specific word choices, Worsham analyzes diction himself, therefore starting to take a more investigative and logical approach: “On the other side of the spectrum there is the bride to be; they celebrate the up coming event by having a bridal shower. The very name looks forward to the oncoming event just as the name bachelor party looks back.” He takes apart the words “bridal shower” themselves to point out another difference between men and women.

As a reader, I particularly like Worsham’s conversational, musing tone. I also think the tone shift in the middle of the piece makes it more captivating. Thus, Worsham’s overall skill in setting the mood and holding the reader’s attention is a strength in his piece. One weakness of this essay is the abruptness of its ending. At the end, Worsham sounds angry rather than enlightened. He could have transitioned more naturally from analysis to annoyance. Overall, the tone of this piece works somewhat for the AP exam. On the one hand, when Worsham switches to a more analytical tone, he provides many specific examples to back his argument up. This is very appropriate for the AP exam. On the other hand, Worsham is very conversational and thus sounds a little rambling during the majority of the piece, so the informal tone that creates would not work for the AP exam.