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Lauren Middleton English: 1010:119 Professor: Peterson April 16, 2014 Rhetorical Analysis Essay The Androgynous Man In the essay, The Androgynous Man, Noel Perrin argues that its completely acceptable to share both male and female characteristics. Perrin supports his claim by comparing himself to non-androgynous men to prove that being 50% masculine and 50% feminine isnt such a horrible thing. The authors purpose is to persuade readers to believe that people come in a variety of acceptable types. Throughout Perrins essay, he supports his claim by demonstrating kairos, ethos, and logos appeals. In the beginning of Perrins essay, he regretfully explains a time when he took a quiz that ranked his masculinity. The quiz, How masculine/ feminine are you? consisted of a number of inkblots which made him choose whether it resembled more of a cloud, steam engine, caterpillar, sofa, etc. Shocked with his results, Perrin unexpectedly concluded that he was nowhere near masculine, carrying a score of 1.2 out of 10. With so many confused and unanswered questions running through his head, Perrin studied the masculine answers over and over trying to figure out what it was the distinguished real men with people like him. Though only time could reveal his unanswered questions, he finally came to the realization that

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the quiz composed of limited and stereotypical criteria, and the ability to define whats really masculine and feminine goes much deeper. It was masculine to think the blots looked like man -made objects, and feminine to think they looked like natural objects. It was masculine to think they looked like things capable of causing harm, and feminine to think of innocent things. This quote supports Perrins claim by providing the idea that society has built up a false representation of whats considered to be masculine/ feminine. Perrin realized the test not only revealed the superficiality of its makers, but that there are a large number of men/women who are androgynous (having both male and female characteristics). Finally realizing he wasnt as wimpy as the quiz forced him to believe, Perrin uses kairos by explaining to the audience the time in which he realized How masculine/feminine are you? consisted of misleading and inaccurate information. Throughout the text, Perrin proudly explains how its okay to carry a set of skills suitable for both men and women, to be androgynous. Men who are 75% masculine vs. 100% are so pressured to be 100% masculine, they forget to realize it is okay not to be. Perrin explains that men who are 100% masculine have a biological set that causes them to be attracted to physical power/ dominance, and arent as self-consciously at ease with the world as appose to androgynous men. By explaining to readers that there are false representations of whats masculine and feminine, Perrin supports his claim by using the ethos appeal to persuade the audience that its acceptable to carry male and female characteristics. Finally, Perrin demonstrates logos throughout his essay by listing facts and reasons why How masculine/feminine are you? gave inaccurate information. With their assumption that

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masculine equates with machinery and science, and feminine with art and nature, Perrin lists logical reasons and note-able facts why society shouldnt believe that masculinity is only defined as hard and tough, but also tender and affectionate. Noel Perrin asserts that that its completely acceptable to share both male and female characteristics. According the author, this claim is true because men varies in characteristics and arent all 100% masculine. In making this argument, the author believes its perfectly acceptable to be 50% masculine and 50% feminine, and androgynous men/ women have more freedom and rage of choices.

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Works Cited Perrin, Noel. The Androgynous Man. The New York Times Magazine. (February 5, 1984): 5053