Journal #2

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/these-illustrations-capture-the-absurd-expectations-women-face_us_57d2f08ae4b00642712d4dd7? I recently came across an article (courtesy of the HuffPost) that highlights the double standards women have and continue to face. In summary, the article contains a series of images drawn by a London-based fashion illustrator that contain visual and written elements that essentially work to expose the rather misogynist discourse that exists in the everyday lives of women. For example, one of the images depicts a half of a woman dressed in a low cut blouse and short shorts while the other half of the woman is dressed in a long sleeved dress. This image essentially expresses how different methods of dressing portray different ways in which a woman carries herself. But the question at stake is, who says such methods of dress suggest labels such as: slut, prude, egotistical,etc. to begin with? In Bitzer's "Rhetorical Situation," Bitzer suggests that a work of rhetoric is pragmatic in that it comes into existence to alter reality through thought and through action. Thus, rhetoric is a response to exigence,audience,and constraint.In Edbauer's "Rhetorical Ecologies," Edbauer builds upon Bitzer's pragmatic approach but, suggests that discourse itself exists through a constant correspondence of ideals and is not solely brought into existence by a "rhetor".Essentially, Edbauer puts the spotlight on discourse and how discourse thus invites rhetoric. In reference to the discussion of the dichotomies sexuality and identity are placed in(the double standards women face,) I think that Bitzer would suggest that discourse (rhetoric) would surface as a response to such dichotomies, whereas Edbauer would most likely suggest that such dichotomies exist because of an already existing discourse(rhetoric.) Therefore, the double-standards women face concerning their appearance, their identity, etc. are a result of society's interpretations and responses to the discourse that already exists. Rhetoric is therefore embedded with such discourse, creating a correspondence of ideals, which cement such standards to begin with. In conclusion, I would argue that both Bitzer and Edbauer would agree that rhetoric is exercised pragmatically while also corresponding dynamically with existing discourse.