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About this quote

What does it mean?
The author claims mocking women is done to encourage them.
In plain terms
I joke about women to push them forward.
What can you take from it?
Critique is sometimes meant to motivate.

Where it applies

  • gender roles
  • criticism
  • motivation

Putting it to work

  • examine motives behind teasing
  • question gender dynamics

Questions to consider

  • Does mockery help or hurt?
  • Can you motivate by teasing?

Another view

Mockery often harms even if intent is good.

More from James Thurber

  1. Somebody has said that woman's place is in the wrong. That's fine. What the wrong needs is a woman's presence and a woman's touch. She is far better equipped t…

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  2. Her own mother lived the latter years of her life in the horrible suspicion that electricity was dripping invisibly all over the house.

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  3. Discussion in America means dissent.

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