Deconstruction Quote by Margaret Atwood
““she does with much asperity: "Dear Ms X, I acknowledge your letter concerning your proposed thesis, though I can't say its title makes a great deal of sense to me - I cannot give you any help. Also you do not deserve any. 'Deconstruction' implies the wrecking ball, and 'problematize' is not a verb.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, 1985
A critic dismisses a student’s thesis with harshness, questioning its clarity and relevance, while mocking academic jargon.
In simple terms: A harsh critique questions the thesis’s sense and mocks jargon.
Key Takeaway
Avoid dismissive language; seek constructive feedback.
Themes
criticism
academic discourse
communication
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
advice
reflective
When to use this quote
- university mentorship
- peer review
- academic writing
- faculty‑student interaction
Key Concepts
deconstruction
problematize
academic jargon
Questions to Reflect On
- How can feedback be both honest and supportive?
- What alternatives exist to harsh academic language?
A Different Perspective
The critique may stifle creativity and discourage inquiry.
![“I'm telling you, I could teach at a university, [George] Carlin, a whole semester. The construction and deconstruction of the words, the language, the order.” quote by Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/af2/jay-mohr-4777_construction_i-m-telling-you-i-could-teach-at-a-unive_29549.jpg)
