Summary Deborah Brandt College Composition and Communication, Vol. 49, No. 2. (May, 1998), pp.

165-185 The passage opens up with the discussion of literacy sponsors and the accounts of Joseph Kett. In the text a comparison is made between the literary haven which the co-owned print shops were and the discourse which had developed in the mid nineteenth century to form the monopolized printing and editing outsources more common today. This brings up the lack of specialized workers and a societal shift away from the sponsors which writer editors once were. Further on Brandt expresses the increasing complexities concerning the economic value of literacy and the evolving standards with each new generation. Brandt discusses the purpose of her essay as a means of connecting the standards of literacy development with the evolution of economic development, through the identification of literary sponsors. (Those who aid or retard literacy development at a gain or personal advantage.) The essay begins with an introduction of the common definition of a sponsor and provides an example of Sunday school reading and writing instructions which were sponsored by Methodist and Baptist organizations. From this Brandt transitions into discussion of the complexities which surround the literacy challenge with competition being the most obvious. Brandt continues by discussing the correlation between social class and literacy levels, indication possible reasoning behind the sponsorship accessibility as well as ethnic and socioeconomic principles. Brandt transitions her essay by introducing the literacy sponsor of institutions and by explaining both the positive and distressing effects of institutional sponsorship. Brandt goes on to use the example of Lowery to identify the impacting results of an evolving society as well as an institution which effect those involved. Lowery is outlined to be a hard working union lawyer who has become challenged to keep up

Analysis The introduction of this essay serves as an indicator of Brandts dedication and purpose in her work. Not only does she provide numerous accounts of research conducted for the essay but she also hints towards the true reason for her essay. Brandts interest in literacy development makes me wonder why she is so concerned about the topic. After all her essay concerning literacy development requires quite a high level of literacy to comprehend and therefore her audience is not geared towards those who are illiterate and most likely not towards those likely to impact literacy development but rather those who study its implications. As Brandt enters into the discussion of literacy sponsors her passion towards the side effects of competition are made apparent. She identifies the dramatic increase in the competition to harness and control literacy in a developing society, and is most likely her inspiration for writing this essay. In attempt to spread awareness of trends and the true intentions of societal literary sponsors as well as introduce methods of prevention through example Brandt has compiled her knowledge of literacy development, competition, and sponsorship into a literary work. Perhaps Brandt has a close personal connection with the underprivileged, or with the illiterate. It appears that she has a strong desire to make out sponsors to be preventing forces for the immigrants, poor, or relocated populations of the world. Brandt attempts to demonstrate the political and economic effects which literacy imposes as well as the sponsorship these sociological parts of culture introduce. This awareness of the less obvious desires of sponsors not only forces the reader to recall the types of sponsorship they had at the time of their education, but also to analyze the conditions under which they were taught. By utilizing the story of Lowery, Brandt is able to communicate the power which an evolving industry or sponsor has on the level of literacy needed to perform. Lowerys story is full of examples of an increasingly complex field as a grievance union lawyer which is stated to not

with the increasing level of literacy present within his field. Not only does Lowery attend numerous seminars, classes, and meetings on proper form for his work, but he also ultimately fails to acquire the education necessary to maintain a cutting edge name in his workplace, as he is bitterly replaced by an industrial relations major. This leads Brandt into her analysis of the period of literacy growth and its causes in Lowerys period. Brandt addresses the quick shifts of literacy requirements, not only over the period of the 20th century but especially over the period which Lowery maintained his employment from the union. Furthermore, Brandt continues to discuss the complexities of literacy appropriation, or the use of historical literacy into the development of new forms. Brandt explains the crisscrossed factors of ones sponsors, such as religion, technology, or workplaces. She then addresses the impact of appropriation through the examples of Steele and White. These women, despite common gender roles as secretarys, introduced new forms of literacy to their familys, for Steele, and to their faith, for White. Overall, Brandt suggests that under the right conditions, it is possible to make gender advancements in literacy, as well as to develop complex literacy environments which change the our perspective on the world.

always be for the better, but rather a catalyst for improper competition for dominance in the law. The way that Brandt appeals to the nature of the evolving literacy community it is possible that she is attempting to convey a sense of danger or warning of the destabilized nature of our current literacy standards. While literacy is generally considered to be a positive attribute of society, this can become contrary if the rates at which literacy shifts occur become frequent. Brandt tends to appeal her voice towards the representation of the unheard voice of history, be it the womans perspective or the underprivileged minority of society. Through these groups, perhaps the most obvious cases in which true literacy developments, complexities, and sponsorship can be observed. Overall, Brandt offers insight into the complex nature of literacy development, sponsorship, appropriation, and teaching. Her essay dives into the ignored aspects of literacy modifiers and brings to light the numerous factors which shape the current and evolving nature of literacy in America. Ideas such as these are rare and are most likely drawn out of a passion for the understanding of literacy evolution, and the personal impact which literacy has had on Brandt, being that she is a writer herself.