The Dominant Discourse

Glenn's essay on "Engendering Silence" is perhaps one of the most eye-opening essays I've read for class. The idea of the dominant discourse was particularly powerful - it puts women's language in a new light. I have always thought about how we never think of women as powerful orators, but whenever we do find that a women is good at public speaking she is attacked by the media for not being feminine enough, or being a "feminazi". Basically, if women adopt the dominant discourse and excel at it, then they are seen as threatening. But if they do not adopt the dominant discourse, they are not listened to. This is a catch-22 which puts women (and other oppressed groups) in subordinate and "silenced" positions.

I love Glenn's use of hooks and Adrienne Rich, as a side note. She really brings together many different types of writers together to enhance her ideas.