Lesson #3:
Can a Reader be Biased in His/Her Point of View?
Text: Discourse on Marriage – Niccholes
1. Tell students the piece of writing they’ll be reading is by an Englishman named Alexander Niccholes. The chapter – how to choose a good wife from a bad – is part of a larger body of work entitled a Discourse on Marriage and Wiving published in London in 1615.
2. Ask students to brainstorm on the following three questions and write answers on the overhead/blackboard:
- How do we choose marriage partners today?
- What qualities do we look for in a marriage partner (upon what do we base our decision)?
- Who makes the choice of a marriage partner (parents, relatives, man, woman, etc.)?
3. Read aloud the introduction to DISCOURSE ON MARRIAGE (original text). Ask the students to verbally answer the following:
- Who is the stated audience for this piece of writing?
- Who is the implied audience (i.e. do women choose wives?)
- How does the author make his weakness - never having been married – into a strength?
4. Read the remainder of the piece (the original text) aloud and divide students into small groups. No group should have less than 2 students of either gender. Ask the students to take apart the piece paragraph by paragraph through discussing the following questions:
- The "yoke of marriage" is referred to in the original text. What does this mean?
- Why is finding a good wife such a hard job?
- According to Niccholes, why do so many people have failed marriages?
- A common saying today is "hindsight is 20/20." Do you think Niccholes would agree with this statement?
P#1
- Niccholes notes that getting married is risky for a man’s freedom, liberty, body, and even his soul. Explain what you think he means.
- Does Niccholes believe "you can tell a book by its cover"?
P#2
- Should you look for an ugly wife or a beautiful wife? Why?
- Are the Italians right in their saying?
P#3
- Why would marrying a short woman be a problem?
- How can a man be assured that his wife will produce good children?
P#4
5. When students have finished examining the piece, go back to the three questions answered at the beginning of the period (#2). Ask students how they think Niccholes would have answered those questions and write them down.
6. Assuming Niccholes’ views represent his times, what do students think of his views on marriage and marriage partners? What do students believe he would think about their list?
QUESTION FOR THOUGHT: Do you think it is possible to look at historical documents from the past without bias of our own?
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