Nearly a quarter of American men were in the Armed forces [in 1968]. The rest were in school, in prison, or were George W. Bush.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A humorous breakdown of where American men were in 1968, suggesting that those not in the military, school, or prison were exemplified by George W. Bush.
- In plain terms
- The author jokes that almost all men in 1968 were doing something useful or in trouble, except for those like George W. Bush.
- What can you take from it?
- Satire can use specific figures to critique societal norms.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What defines a meaningful societal role?
- How does history shape our expectations?
Another view
The comparison oversimplifies the diverse roles of men in that era.
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