Ellen Goodman wrote her article, “Womb for Rent- For a Price,” to introduce the issue of international surrogacy. Goodman began her article by explaining what and how international baby production developed. Goodman claims that an industry has emerged as the result of an increase in the number of women trying to obtain international surrogates. She then stated that women in poor countries had found a new way to make money; they would be surrogates for people willing to pay. Goodman sympathized with those who are infertile and looking for cheaper ways to find surrogates for their babies, however, she was clearly uncomfortable with the idea of women selling out their wombs.
Goodman stated that by engaging in any part of this process the people involved were coming closer and closer to selling themselves and our children in to slavery. By making this statement Goodman is appealing to the reader’s emotional side. Slavery is a very strong word which is wrapped in a lot of history and pain. It paints a clear picture of both unethical and immoral actions. Goodman places this pathos word and others near the end of her article to persuade her readers into feeling sorry for the babies and the women who sell their wombs. The emotional diction forces a reaction.
This emotional diction also contributes to the tone of Goodman’s article. Goodman began her paper very respectfully. Goodman was not criticizing or judging the industry. She just stated what the situation was and why people were turning to it as a solution to their problems. I liked this part of her paper because the author was letting me, the reader, decide for myself how I felt about this peculiar situation. Then during Goodman’s conclusion her tone changed. Her paragraphs were now full of emotional diction and her opinion. She was now pushing her feelings and views on to me, which I did not appreciate. Goodman was no longer a bystander to the action; she was actively telling me it was wrong. I like to come to my own conclusion about a topic, so this conclusion made dislike the entire paper when really I just did not appreciate Goodman’s conclusion.
I liked what you mentioned about her using the word "slavery" to appeal to the audience's emotions. I agree with you about her change in tone because I, too, like to make my own conclusion about the subject. At the same time, I thought that the Egg Heads article was more disturbing and one-sided than Goodman's article so I didn't dislike it.
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