Sam Sixty

A detailed Summary of Sam Sixty

In framing the argument for hereditary degeneration, the author of "The Family of Sam Sixty" presents a number of reasons pointing to the downfall of the Sixty family. She points out a number of traits portraying evidence of degeneracy in their gene pool along several generations. As well, the author employs a number of methodical charts to complement her findings. However, when examined in close detail, one can see that much of her research is not scientifically based at all and there are many holes in her arguments. She has simply fitted what evidence she has gathered to suit her needs while downplaying any countering facts.

To begin with, the author uses a myriad of numbers and statistics to confuse the audience into believing that her arguments are based on fact. This is most evident in her records of the several generations of the Sixty family. "The chart shows 474 individuals, on 261 of whom some data have been secured. Of the 261, sixty are know to have had court records, and fifty-six are known to have been in public institutions..." (188) This statement, along with the following incident rates confuses the audience into believing that there actually is quite a number of delinquent members among t

It is quite interesting to note that while seeming to make a convincing argument for the degeneracy of the Sixty family, the author at one point contradicts herself. In one instance, she states that, "The charts and descriptions... give a fairly definite picture of the Sixties..." (190). Throughout the entire article, the author then goes on to give descriptions to members of the family such as "unquestionably feebleminded" (191), "the findings... suffice to show that we have in this family a group of notorious law-breakers." (189), "All that is best and noblest was represented to them solely in... their mother, a weak-minded slovenly, immoral woman." (194), and so on. The author also makes reference to the subsequent generations as "brood" (195) and "offspring" (207). These flagrant descriptions further illustrate how she paints a picture of the Sixty family as less than human and that in her opinion, this is a definite portrayal. Nonetheless, the author protects herself against a libel suit by making the following disclaimer,

Next, the author has arranged the article to make it seem as scientific-looking as possible. She has charted all of the known "degenerates" of the Sixty family according to their various traits, whether it be that they are criminalistic, alcoholic, wanderer/vagrant, tubercular, insane, and/or sexually immoral. Each branch is meticulously categorized, cross-referenced to sex and marriage lines, and so forth. In essence, this would lead the audience to believe that the author has a somewhat distinguished scien

Some common words found in the essay are:
Sam Sixty, Record Office, Abner Rose, sixty family, Sixty Friends, sam sixty, hereditary degeneration, brought court, court records, audience believing, audience believe, conclusive evidence, public institutions,

Approximate Word count = 1041
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English