But, plural children are a counter-culture in the house. Parents are outnumbered by the children. In other words, parents must accept or do something they do not want but they are compelled to do certain undesired things. They have to buy many toy sets and they can not go to the weekend where they like. They have to move to better schools for their children. They have to be involved in many social converse/talk/discussion. They are pushed backward. Above all, they have to lose peace and privacy because they are frequently interrupted by their children. Then, there is a bitter look in everyone. When there is secrecy, they have to talk on the phone from their office. In this way, the children will not let the parents talk peacefully and privately. Even the plural children can become a real danger for a family because many marriages break up in America just due to the children. As a whole, mothers of plural children have no peace in their life. They have to sleep with startling suddenness and finality or determination. So, this essay is about having many children and Advantages of having single child.
Rhetorical Strategies (page 58-59)
1 The main idea of this essay is clearly stated in the first sentence. (When I had two children, I discovered....). Where else in this essay is this idea repeated in slightly different words? How does this repetition serve as a transition to the rest of the essay?
Ans. 'With one child, you and your husband are still yourselves; you have merely acquired an extra thing, like a Yorkshire Terrier or an electric toothbrush'. 'More than one and your'e a family'. are some parts in the essay where the idea of having one child is repeated with slightly different words.
2. Almost half the essay consists of conversations directly quoted. What makes this conversation sound natural? Holland never identifies the speakers - never writes "The child said..." or "I said...." - Still it is not hard to decide who the speakers are. How can you tell?
2. Almost half the essay consists of conversations directly quoted. What makes this conversation sound natural? Holland never identifies the speakers - never writes "The child said..." or "I said...." - Still it is not hard to decide who the speakers are. How can you tell?
Ans. The conversations are sounding natural due to the dialoguic style of the conversation presented. It is not that hard to decide who the actual speakers are since it is easy to identify the speakers through the context and expressions of the characters.
3. Holland deliberately uses a number of sentence fragments. Why are they appropriate to this essay? What effect do they create?
3. Holland deliberately uses a number of sentence fragments. Why are they appropriate to this essay? What effect do they create?
Ans. Holland deliberately uses a number of sentence fragments because it is a dialogic type of essay. And also it creates a natural type of effect.
4. What is the reason for the four single sentence paragraph at the end of the essay? Would you like it better if these four sentences were combined into one paragraph? Why or why not?
4. What is the reason for the four single sentence paragraph at the end of the essay? Would you like it better if these four sentences were combined into one paragraph? Why or why not?
Ans. The four single sentence paragraph at the end of the essay is for the author who talks about different ideas in each of the four lines.
* Yes, I would like it being combined in a single paragraph as it would look easier to read and understand.
5. Write a short essay in which you show a situation or event by quoting what people say. Try to make at least one third of your essay in direct quotation.
* Yes, I would like it being combined in a single paragraph as it would look easier to read and understand.
5. Write a short essay in which you show a situation or event by quoting what people say. Try to make at least one third of your essay in direct quotation.
Ans. With a lot of people around us, be it our home, schools or even offices, everybody love's to mingle and make new friends around us. Some even would be open enough to share their personal views and opinions to get a feedback on it.
"Maybe you would like to have a cup of tea and discuss about the dog menace? ".
"Surely man, we can do that and discuss about that issue"
"As you know, that the cases of the dog attacking pedestrians are increasing day by day. We need to come up with some solution before it gets even more worse!"
"Yes, I do agree with you, but what would be the solution to it?"
"Maybe we can hire some dog catchers and relocate these dogs?"
"That's a great idea Ram! Lets do that and hope for the best!"
2. Argue why child spacing maybe important for a happy family life.Ans. According to me, child spacing maybe an important issue since it would allow the family to reduce financial expenses, improve the mother's and the child's health and also maintain a low risk of keeping the mother's and the child's life in danger.
"Maybe you would like to have a cup of tea and discuss about the dog menace? ".
"Surely man, we can do that and discuss about that issue"
"As you know, that the cases of the dog attacking pedestrians are increasing day by day. We need to come up with some solution before it gets even more worse!"
"Yes, I do agree with you, but what would be the solution to it?"
"Maybe we can hire some dog catchers and relocate these dogs?"
"That's a great idea Ram! Lets do that and hope for the best!"
Discussion Questions (page 59)
1. Does this essay speak in favour or against having many children? Give reasons.Ans. The speaker us against the idea of having many children's. It is mainly because that in the entire essay she has only mentioned about the disadvantages of having more than one child. Hence indicating the same.2. Argue why child spacing maybe important for a happy family life.Ans. According to me, child spacing maybe an important issue since it would allow the family to reduce financial expenses, improve the mother's and the child's health and also maintain a low risk of keeping the mother's and the child's life in danger.
Tips for exam
* The same above questions are asked in exam but for 5 marks or sometime for 10 marks
You should elaborate the answers.
You should elaborate the answers.
* To Elaborate Every time you write a short summary in 1st paragraph,
* Now give the answer of asked questions in 2nd paragraph,
* If you don't feel bore writing answers you can make it of 3 paragraphs by concluding the main theme of answer in 3rd paragraph.
Example::1. Does this essay speak in favour or against having many children? Give reasons. [10 Marks]
Barbara Holland, in her essay "Speaking of Children" she talks about advantage of having single child and disadvantages of having multiple children.. In this essay, Holland examines the idea of having more than one child and its effect on the parents. She believes that one child is an appendage but more than one is a way of life. One child is outnumbered and parents can brainwash it, carry it to parties, toss it on the bed with the coats and make it whatever they want. It is usually easy to look after one child. It is a part of their lives.
The speaker us against the idea of having many children's. It is mainly because that in the entire essay she has only mentioned about the disadvantages of having more than one child. Hence indicating the same. This essay speaks implicitly against having many children. The essayist without passing her judgement examines the idea of having more than one child is the consequent expenses of parents. Barbara Holland talks about the sacrifices that the parents have to make for the sake of their children. She says that one child is just one extra thing in one’s life. They can make it do what they want to go. They can teach it nice things as they wish. In short, one child is never a nuisance. But more than one child becomes unmanageable for their parents. Even if there are only two children, they are sufficient enough to outnumber you and your husband. They almost completely deny you any time to enjoy a private chat with your husband.
Barbara also tells us that parents of plural children can spare time for themselves only after they have taken the children somewhere and brought them home again. Things are never in order. Whenever you move into the house, children’s playthings come in your way. In short, with more than one child, you and your husband are never yourselves.
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