Metaphors We Live By Summary and Response:
Metaphors We Live By, by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson, describe how metaphors exist beyond just a characteristic of language and how they can be found in everyday life. That said, they also mention how we are not normally aware of the fact that they are encased in the concept behind our arguments. When reading this text, I started to realize the potential truth of metaphorical concepts in our language. Perhaps, it isn’t that we can find these metaphors in everyday life, but that these “metaphors” have always existed and we fit them into concepts of how we define a metaphor. Similar to the famous quote from Oscar Wilde, “Life imitates art”. In the text, Strategies For Active Reading, by Maria Plochocki The first step for successful active reading is to understand the length, genre, and visual of the text you are reading. How you spend your time reading the text by knowing how to divide your time wisely and efficiently comes next. Understanding your learning style and being able to focus your thoughts on the text at hand. Undeniably, these steps don’t necessarily have an order but all are equally important. This text mentions the modern day and how it has changed our way to actively read. E-books, computers, and other technologies all influence our way of analyzing and I think it’s a key reason to why these strategies work. With these new technologies in our life, it is easy for our attention span to have shortened with all the excess amount of information thrown at us. These strategies help bridge our ability to comprehend the information from a text and develop it into an analysis.
The Egg and The Sperm Summary and Response:
The Egg and the Sperm, by Emily Martin, brings attention to the hidden gender stereotypes in biology and the potential harm it could have. This text starts by focusing on the wording and description of gender reproductive systems and the difference between them. Pointing out that the male reproductive system is often described as a phenomenon and the women’s as more of a failure. Initially, I was surprised when reading this text. Throughout all of my health education, I never saw the gender stereotypes on my own. Maybe perhaps it is because I’m a guy and I never thought of it that way before. I do agree with what Emily Martin said about how even though guys make a million “failed” sperm, it is always seen as something to be impressed by because of the huge number. With that said, I can understand where she is coming from with this hidden gender stereotyping.
Connection:
One connection between Metaphors We Live By and The Egg and the Sperm that I find really interesting is how Emily Martin’s relies on certain metaphorical concepts to make her argument. For instance, our culture sees men and women be equal in society. This is what holds Martin’s claim about gender stereotypes in biology. In other countries with different cultures, this may not necessarily be the same case. Emily Martin’s claim and argument are strong and honest, but the metaphorical concept behind it is what helps it relate to us.