Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain by Jessica Mitford Questions on Meaning What was your…

Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain
by Jessica Mitford
Questions on Meaning
What was your emotional response to this? Can you analyze your feelings?
To what does Mitford attribute the secrecy surrounding the embalming process?
what, according to Mitford, is the mortician’s intent? What common obstacles to fulfilling it must be surmounted?
What do you understand from Mitford’s remark in paragraph 10, on dispelling fears of live burial: “How true; once the blood is removed, chances of live burial are indeed remote?
Do you find any implied Purpose in this essay? Does Mitford seem primarily out to rake muck, or does she offer any positive suggestions to Americans?
Questions on Writing Strategy
What is Mitford’s Tone? In her opening two paragraphs, exactly what shows her attitude toward her subject?
Why do you think Mitford goes into so much grisly detail in analyzing the process of embalming and restoration? How does the detail serve her purpose?
What is the effect of calling the body Mr. Jones?
Paragraph by paragraph, what Transitions does the author employ?
To whom does Mitford address her process analysis? How do you know she isn’t Writing for an Audience of professional morticians?
Choose one of the quotations from the journals and textbooks of professionals and explain how it serves the author’s general purpose.
Why do you think Mitford often uses the Passive Voice to describe the actions of embalmers for instance, the blood is drained, if Flextone is used, and it may be blended in paragraph 11? Are the verbs in passive voice effective or ineffective? Why?
Other Methods In. Paragraph 8, Mitford uses Classification in listing the embalmer’s equipment and supplies. What groups does she identify, and why does she bother sorting the items at all ?