Female Suffrage

Mark Twain’s essay “Female Suffrage” downplays and ridicules the idea of women voting and holding office. The essay is made up of humorous and playful sarcasm that emphasizes the absurdity of women and politics”if they were granted these privileges there would be no more peace on earth.” Hypothetical situations show the possible negative outcomes that would result from the political activism of women. Twain also gives examples of how women would act if given a position in officecause a ruckus and get nothing done. After a number of hilarious hypothetical results, Twain asserts his position on the absurdity of politically active women and slips in a couple more witty remarks at the end of the essay.

Twain’s purpose in writing “Female Suffrage” is to poke fun at the idea of women voting and holding office. He ridicules the involvement of women in politics and discourages women suffrage. Twain structures his arguments by establishing his position on women suffrage, giving explicit examples and assumptions to support his position, and then re-asserting his position. He creates many hypothetical situations and outcomes that he thinks will come out of politically active women. These are all stated in a mockingly serious tone that portrays Twain’s overall attitude towards the matter.

Twain appeals even further to his audience through his use of rhetorical devices. Twain, a well-known and successful novelist, has much credibility with his audience; those who have read his novels before undoubtedly read this essay with high opinions of Twain and his writing. Twain’s style of writing, overall mildly and humorously sarcastic with witty comments here and there, is effective when catching the attention of his readers. He evokes emotional responses from his male readers by postulating very assuredly that women “shall neglect the duties of the household to go out and take a drink with candidates; and men shall nurse the baby while their wives travel to the polls to vote.” He shares the same values as his male readers as well, and includes himself in his generalizations”Every man, I take itand such is the case with me.” The fact that he mentions his wife also helps his argument because it makes him seem surer about what he’s saying.

However, Twain’s essay does not appeal to women at all, as he is openly poking fun at themeven if it is lighthearted and amusing, it is still offensive towards woman readers. His use of logic is flawed as well, and although he has a good reputation as a novelist, his credibility is still lacking. Twain fails to support his position with hard evidence; instead, he offers unproven assumptions and hypothetical situations. He comes off as a very unreasonable and subjective writer, something that will not help his arguments and credibility.

Twain’s style of writing in this essay is extremely effective and entertaining. His use of figurative language adds to and enhances his argument and points. In lowering women’s credibility, Twain claims that they want to hold office only because of the “sweet jingle of the title”they don’t care about the actual work, only about the title and appearance. The personification used here emphasizes and clarifies the women’s shallowness and inability to hold office. Twain also uses parentheses to add more satire and emphasis to his arguments”(I know themthey are all like my wife.)” This humorous insertion brings credibility to Twain’s prediction that women, “instead of ventilating each other’s political antecedentswould go straight after each other’s private moral character.” The reader is under the impression that Twain knows this from observing his own wife.

Satirical comments and examples consume the writing, and through his exaggeration of the issue, the reader grasps the main point: politically active women are ridiculous! “She may even become a beacon light for the saving of othersbut if she does, she will burn rather dim, and she will flicker a good deal, too.” This metaphor depicts a woman’s idealistic desires to improve as well as the small chance of that happening. In short, hypothetical situations, predictions, and dialogue throughout the essay all contribute to the overall ridicule of women in politics.

Although this essay proved to be an enjoyable read, I would have to disagree with Twain on his opinion that women should not be allowed to vote or run for office. As a woman myself, I obviously support women suffrage and our rights to run for office. Twain makes a number of points that are true about women to some extent, but ultimately they are false and over-exaggerated. Furthermore, Twain offers little to no support for his claims and assumptions, losing some credibility in my and others’ minds. I disagree with Twain’s extensive list of predicted results as well, such as the slogans women might be thinking of and the transfer of duties to the husband. There is rarely any real example of either of these, causing Twain’s statements to seem too far-fetched and ultimately futile. Even though the overall tone of his piece is satirical and humorous, evidence is still needed to back up the claims in order for the piece to be humorously persuasive.

Overall, “Female Suffrage” is very effective in capturing the attention of its audience through satirical appeals. The exaggeration of women’s traits and probable actions causes the reader to stop and wonder if what he was reading was 100-percent true. In today’s society, this essay would be read with pleasure and humor, but with a more carefree and spontaneous tone. The majority of society, male and female, would be most likely to acclaim this essay not for its accuracy, but for its satire. Back in Twain’s days however, the male population was inclined to decry women suffrage and agree with Twain’s points, while the women would probably get offended over the ridicule throughout the essay. The women would not be able to do anything about it though, as they really were still seen as inferior to men. In short, Twain’s essay, significant in societies of both today and of his time, has captivated the attentions of people of both time periods through his entertaining humor and exaggerated satire.