Name: Andre Nicole E.

Castillo

Grade 12 – St. Vincent Liem dela Paz

Being a Man: Comprehension Questions

About Structure

1. What is the essay about? What is its thesis?

- The essay is about how Theroux disliked being a man. Its thesis discussed that being a man is
always associated with being manly.

2. How did Paul Theroux develop the essay’s thesis?

- He indicated the thesis of the essay by sharing his thoughts, ideas, personal experiences and
various opinions on being a man.

3. What do you think is the purpose of the writer?

- The purpose of the writer, in my personal view, is to reminded us or the society that being a
man does not always imply being manly. It is not required to perform actions associated
with masculinity.

4. What are the words that you found difficult to understand?

The words that I’m not familiar with are:
 Coquettishness - woman's flirtatious manner
 Grotesque - hilariously or repulsively ugly or deformed
 Pugnacity - ready to battle or quarrel
 Roistered - to indulge in noisy celebration

5. Are there concepts and/or reference mentioned in the text that you are not familiar with? What
are those?
- Yes, there's a mention like "Lives in New York City with her three children," but I'm not sure
what it means.

6. Based on the language and style of the writer, who do you think is the target audience of this
essay?
- This essay is written for both men and women, or more accurately, for all of us. This essay is
intended to make society aware that not all males are required to be manly, strong, and
superior at all times.

About the Content

7. Why does Theroux dislike being a man?

- Theroux disliked being a man because of how America views manhood. It always needs to
be manly or masculine like doing heavy works or playing sports. He’s not very fond of that
idea of masculinity because it makes him feel as if they don't have the freedom to do what
they want because being a man implies superiority.
8. Based on his different definitions, what is his concept of being a man?
- His concept of being a man is not always associated with being manly. He wants men and
women to be treated equally so that they can accomplish things that society believes only
women can do, such as writing, without being labeled as less than men.

9. Does your concept of manhood/manliness discusses in the warm-up activity match with
Theroux’s concept of manhood? What accounts for the similarities or differences? What/who
has influenced your definition of the concept?
- Yes, I feel that being a man does not require one to always look tough and strong. For me,
manhood implies being responsible and capable of owning up to one's mistakes. My
definition of this concept influenced no one, because it’s my own perspective.

10. What do you think are the issues in Theroux’s definitions of manhood?
- The issue, in my perspective, is that society constantly defines man as powerful, manly,
rough, and masculine. The first thing that comes to mind when we hear the term "man" is
the word "strong." When people see a man cry, they think he is weak since men do not cry,
which is not true. Man, like every other person, has feelings that are valid. This idea explains
why sexism should not be tolerated in society.