A Critical Analysis of “Keeping Close to Home: Class and Edu
In analyzing bell hooks’ essay, “Keeping Close to Home: Class and Education”, it is evident that the essay is intended to appeal to two distinctive audiences. In the essay the author expresses valid points about how an education can be difficult especially for a “. . .southern black girl from a working-class background. . .” (hooks 87). Hooks’ essay also contains emotional appeal which both intended audiences can relate to. However, I believe hooks’ essay loses some effectiveness in the end because of how hooks approached the task of writing for such two different audiences. The two audiences were the uneducated working-class and the educated upper-class.In the beginning of the essay, hooks correlates her personal background into the introduction. I feel that hooks started the essay out with a good rhetorical device in that she used emotional appeal to get the audience interested. Both audiences can relate to the emotions of leaving or disappointing a loved one. She emphasizes the emotions of saying goodb
Yet, if we are to reach our people and all people, if are to remain connected (especially of those whose familial backgrounds are poor and working-class), we must understand that the telling of one’s personal story provides a meaningful example, a way for folks to identify and connect (89). Hooks’ purpose of the essay is made clear with her statement: I want to speak about these contradictions because sorting through them, seeking resolution and reconciliation has been important to me both as it affects my development as a writer, my effort to be fully realize, and my longing to remain close to the family and community that provided the groundwork for much of my thinking, writing, and being (87).
Some topics in this essay:
Carol Stack’s,
Class Education”,
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uneducated working-class,
hooks’ essay,
feel hooks,
uneducated working-class reader,
class differences,
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throughout essay,
emotional appeal,
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purpose essay,
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Approximate Word count = 694
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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