Crystal Eastman's Now We Can Begin

Is it possible for women to achieve independence and equality in society? Will women ever be equal to their male counterparts? In “Now We Can Begin,” Crystal Eastman attempts to answer these questions with a resounding “YES!” by outlining several approaches to women’s freedom. Before the reader begins, Eastman’s credibility is established because it can be presumed she, as a female “feminist socialist,” is a qualified expert in her field. She uses different methods of persuasion often in concurrence to strengthen her stance. In “Now We Can Begin,” Eastman articulately provides a powerful argument that women must begin their fight for equality by educating the young, promoting freedom of occupational choice, and viewing motherhood as

She makes effective use of pathos by her choice of words, which add passion to her argument. Because she uses pathos in combination with logos, her argument is successful (TEXT pg 60). When Eastman discusses the importance of proper teaching of young children, she uses the phrase, “we must institute a revolution,” which has a very dramatic effect (Eastman). When the reader pictures a revolution, it may bring up feelings of excitement, exhilaration, or even anger. Eastman continues to strengthen her argument for better education of children with the use of logic, or logos. She acknowledges that mothers of the past are at fault for teaching their sons that housework is the woman’s job. Eastman uses logic when she reasons that men are not to blame

When introducing the issue, she appeals to the reader’s emotions again with her colorful choice of words. Repetition of the phrase what is “the matter with women?” effectively conjures feelings of angst and unrest in readers who are sympathetic to the cause. Eastman believes woman must overcome these obstacles before they can be free to choose their own careers, and obtain financial independence. Her use of ethos and logos are noticed when she mentions in order to push past societal barriers, women must be free to choose their own career path. In Eastman’s view, women should not be “destined by the accident of their sex to one field of activity-housework and child-raising.” This is a great use of logos, as it is logical that if a woman could freely choose their own career without any regard to gender, then equality will be achieved. Ethos come into play when Eastman next acknowledges that most women do indeed want children, and of those women most would prefer to raise their children instead of pursuing a career. This contrasting viewpoint is easily refuted when Eastman reminds the readers that a woman’s freedom lies in her right to choose. By choosing motherhood, a woman is exercising her