In Relation to texts Text J and Text K

Both of these texts are aimed at women and how a women should then behave and why. Text J shows us how society can affect how women’s roles affects the way language is directed about women. However text K shows how modern pieces of writing show this topic and due to informalisation, pejoration and taboo topics, it highlights how each text is appropriate at the time it was written but not in another time period.

                In 1861, society was quite different as the role of women was more restricted as things such as the vote and the Pill were not around, which is why these major landmarks in history were mentioned in text K. Therefore the audience at this time would be likely women who wanted to improve their skills so they could keep the man happy, or it could have been newlywed women who want to learn these skills. The language in text J is portraying women as purely to look as the house and look after the children hence the chapter called ‘Management of Children’ and the reference to ‘Englishwoman’s Domestic Magazine’. Equally but hinting that a man could leave you because of these skills and how they expect it also but pressure on the reader to have these skills.By putting the pressure on the reader it also panics them into following your tips more closely and potentially buying more of your books, so this could be a form of influential power and it is using guilt or insecurities to entice you. These are types of texts were expected to be read by women. On the other hand if this text was to be publish in modern times this would be considered offensive to women as both genders now shares these typical female roles. Text J goes as far to as to use abstract nouns and verbs such as ‘ discontent’ and ‘untidy’ to help convey the shame of not being able to use these skills.

 The can also be said for Text K and over time women’s roles have changed so speech directed at women has become more friendly and informal. Informalisation has had a big impact on the suitability for the audience as women are more open about talking about often taboo aspects such as ‘ abortion’ or more intimate topics such as ‘Brazilians’. These slang terms show the audience would have this pragmatic knowledge already of what this and perhaps sympathise with the pressures that are mentioned in the rhetorical questions such as “Should we use Botox?”  By using Auxiliary verbs such as “should” it makes the audience question whether it is right and slightly hints that there is pressure at this time. If this text were to be published in 1861, this would be not suitable to women as this would be seen as obscure and embarrassing because of things such as taboo subjects being so openly referred to. 

I havent been able to finish it :)