Vocabulary – Choose the option that BEST expresses the meaning of the highlighted word in context. Sentence: Swift is known in the world of letters for his misogynism.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: hate for womankind

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
“Misogynism” or “misogyny” refers to the hatred of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women. In literary criticism, it is contrasted with “misandry” (hatred of men) and “misanthropy” (hatred of humankind).


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Term to interpret: misogynism.
  • Domain: literary reputation of Swift.
  • Task: pick the precise definition from the choices.


Concept / Approach:
Disambiguate near-looking Greek roots: “miso-” (hate), “gynē” (woman), “andros” (man), “anthrōpos” (human). Therefore, misogynism = hatred of women.


Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Parse the root: miso + gyn.2) Map to English gloss: hate for womankind.3) Eliminate distractors that confuse “man,” “human,” or “love.”4) Select the accurate definition.


Verification / Alternative check:
Related terms: misanthropy = hate for humankind; misandry = hate for men; philogyny = love of women. This confirms the mapping.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • hate for mankind: that is misanthropy.
  • love for the reasonable: irrelevant phrase.
  • love for the womankind: opposite polarity.


Common Pitfalls:
Mixing up “misanthropy” and “misogyny” because both begin with “mis-”. The second morpheme is decisive.


Final Answer:
hate for womankind

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Join Discussion