Women’s Brains in George Eliot’s Novel Middlemarch

The purpose that the quotations in the essay from George Eliot’s (Mary Anne Evans) novel Middlemarch serve to further Gould’s argument, which is why it’s appropriate to use in the essay. Gould agrees with Elliots argument and that’s why it’s so important to use quotations that support his argument. Gould when introducing quotations from Broca, refers to Elliot to essentially refute what Broca has to say. As Broca has an opposing viewpoint than Gould’s, a balance of evidence I think is needed.

I believe that Gould is trying to say that sometimes Broca needs to step out of using solely evidence, especially numbers. While using numbers is a necessity, they cannot alone specify much. As Gould mentions, “science is an inferential exercise, not a catalog of facts. Numbers by themselves specify nothing“ (pg 3). With Gould stating that Broca's numbers are meaningless it basically strengthens Gould’s own argument.

I honestly don’t think Gould could have eliminated either of the points created by the individuals he cited.

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The two points he has developed his main argument because he used them to refute the opposition and support his point. I also think that that all four individuals were essential as they all built up to each other. For example there were certain levels within the point that Broca and Le Bon had, while Manouvrier and Montessori were at two different levels of of their point. Broca stated that he didn’t find women superior, but he had reasoning and Le Bon really didn’t.

Manouvrier deemed the treatment of women unfair, but didn’t fight as passionately as Montessori had.

The footnote at the end of paragraph 7 adds to his credibility. Gould acknowledges the mistake he made in his earlier statements. With him acknowledging it, it goes to show he isn’t trying to trick his readers. Paragraphs 9 through 12 work together to point out that the research regarding a genders brain size determining superiority was idiotic. The paragraphs oppose Broca's whole experiment with women's brain sizes. For example Gould mentions that you can’t do much with Broca's data because women’s brain size don’t reflect any “isolated prejudice” (pg 11). Also Gould points out that if Broca used the methods we have now, his conclusion would drastically alter.

I think Gould achieves his purpose through those using Montessori as a refutation and an example of why you shouldn’t place values on specific groups. Gould, when questioning Montessori, criticizes that people should not be using specific biological values on any group. Gould also uses her point to refute the opposite views that Le Bon and Broca had. Don’t respond

Throughout the entirety of the text I could see the appeal to pathos placed by Gould. One primary feeling I felt, personally, was a mild anger. Specifically, one line that Gould included from Le Bon in which he stated women were close to children’s mindsets and not close to a civilized man's thought process. Just the line alone was insulting and unjust, but scattered everywhere else were lines that made me feel the same way. I think the appeal to pathos adds to the persuasiveness of his argument because once a person is attached to the piece of work and is invested in some way emotionally, they’ll be willing to listen even more and already be convinced about the topic one is addressing.