Barry Deutsch The Male Privilege Checklist Analysis

Barry Deutsch’s “The Male Privilege Checklist” was composed as an imitation a similar list-style essay written by Peggy McIntosh. Her piece, titled “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack”, illustrates the unrecognized racial advantage white individuals have in society. Deutsch in turn constructs a numbered checklist to showcase the invisible privileges that men receive from people. What exactly makes the article memorable and outstanding? Is it the elegant use of syntax combined with powerful diction that makes the writing “flow?” Is it perhaps the rhetoric that is used by the author that piques the reader’s interest? In truth, it is those tools utilized in conjunction, which then becomes an influential and persuasive document that resonates with many women. It captures the reader’s attention and introduces new and unacknowledged circumstances when men have had the upper hand in society. Emotions are bound to be stirred, anger being the most likely front-runner. It is probable that the reader’s eyes will be opened …show more content…
One may read over the checklist and applaud the strong feminist woman behind it, only to fail to realize that a white male cartoonist composed it. He would therefore be speaking on behalf of women and has not experienced any true inequality against himself. He mentions, however, that he hopes the essay is a “step towards helping men give up the ‘first big privilege’.” On the other hand, he may be praised for recognizing his own privilege as a man. Deutsch’s own ethos can then have an effect on how the reader views the author before even reading the piece. His sarcasm and mocking tone in the introduction targets the complaints of men, which allows for a sense of humor that contrasts the overall serious mood of the essay. The metaphor, “I never claimed that life for men was all ice cream sundaes” is a biting remark towards the complaints of men. In addition, it juxtaposes the inequity faced by