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Why Adrienne Rich's Speech 'What Does A Woman Need To Know?'

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Why Adrienne Rich's Speech 'What Does A Woman Need To Know?'
Essay #1
“What does a Women Need to Know?” – Adrienne Riche
Mikael Yoo my290@scarletmail.rutgers.edu 21:355:101:70
Wednesday, Sept.17 – 2014
“On my honor, I have neither received nor given any unauthorized assistance on this assignment.”

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Academic Integrity Pledge Signature “What does a Woman Need to Know?” In her inspiring commencement address, Adrienne Rich seeks to enlighten Smith’s Woman’s College graduating class of 1979. In her speech, Riche address many important points that may help the female graduates throughout their future endeavors. She also questions the effectiveness of these institutions claiming that they are still influenced by male-centered thinking, which needs to change. Subtly, Adrienne Rich presents several compelling arguments throughout the speech, leading readers to believe
…show more content…
The women in Smith’s graduating class of 1979 had the privilege of attending college and they also had the opportunity to acquire the tools and knowledge to have power. That by itself makes the graduating woman tokens. As Rich says “ token women are encouraged to see as different … talented, deserving … separate herself from wider condition” the author definitely tries to warn the graduates on the privilege they have, she highlights that no matter the skills and privileges they have, the graduates should never forget that they are part of a bigger group; a group that will never be “liberated until all woman are liberated.” This demonstrates what that the author wants to emphases is that until all woman have equal conditions among the world of man, those who have privileges, do not have true privileges, they are just being manipulated, therefore woman should use their educational privilege to liberate all

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