Nicholas Kristof is a writer for the New York Times who commonly shares his thoughts on human rights
and, more particularly, women’s rights. Due to several recent stories in
politics, particularly revolving Trump (e.g. Trump’s sexist remarks), Kristof
decided to write his thoughts. His immediate purpose is simply to acknowledge and
contextualize Trump’s recent actions. However, his more extended purpose is to
question the “double standard” in America, which allows men to get away with
more than women. In his piece, If Hillary
Clinton Groped Men, Kristof uses anaphora and a critical tone to achieve
this purpose.
The text is broken into thirty-some brief paragraphs, each
starting with the word “Imagine.” Kristof tasks his audience, the American
public, to imagine what it would be like for Hillary Clinton to have committed
similar egregious acts to those of Donald Trump. Many examples are listed, such
as how Trump has publically said some awfully sexist things, he has a lack of
experience, and has an arrogant demeanor. By telling the reader to imagine
Clinton exhibiting this behavior, Kristof implies that there is a “double
standard subjecting women to greater scrutiny.” If Clinton were to act like
Trump, there would be a lot more backlash, according to Kristof. America would not
sit by if “Clinton
had seemed completely ignorant of nuclear strategy and NATO yet said she knew ‘more about
ISIS than the generals.’”
Throughout his piece, uses powerful language and words such
as “lecherous” and “sex predator” to characterize Trump’s actions as despicable.
Again, by visualizing Hillary saying this, America’s “double standard” is
revealed, as it seems that her theoretically similar actions would not be
tolerated. Thus, Kristof’s critical tone furthers his success in achieving his
purpose. If Hillary Clinton Groped Men
serves as a wake-up call to America; nationwide change must be made.
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