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This new rule upsets many people, men and But for now, his old power is over. He’s going to 5
women. But what they don’t seem to understand have to find a new power if he ever wants to
is, no one is saying a disappearance from the come back.”
public eye has to be forever. (Well, Harvey A new power. Can there be one for men, section one
Weinstein is forever.) I’m not talking about free of humiliation, shame and violent assault
banishment. I’m talking about ceding the floor. against women? Women who are their wives, /
The power of celebrity and cultural approval must daughters, mothers and friends sitting next to
disappear for the time being so that all women see them on couches? And what would it take to
and believe that consequences do exist. achieve it? That’s the question for men and Amber Tamblyn
In that discussion about redemption 10 their text chains right now, not the question of
on my couch, the woman said to the man: how soon they can ask about redemption.
“Look, do I believe Louis C.K. is going to come Redemption must be preceded by atonement.
back in a year or so with a lot of reflection It is earned, not offered. If you want amends,
about what he did? Yes, I do. When he goes you have to make them. You have to acknowledge
back out on that standup tour someday, I’ll roll the line in the sand. Once you do this, the next
my eyes and say, ‘All right, get on with it, then.’ step is simple: Pick a side. Choose us.

Understanding and Interpreting

1. Tamblyn starts her piece describing a conversation between a man and a woman, both
Hollywood writers, discussing the comedian Louis C.K. Summarize their two points of view.
Where do they agree and disagree with each other? What is the effect of talking about a man
and woman (rather than two men or two women) expressing these viewpoints?
2. What does Tamblyn mean when she asks, “Why do we need to talk about the redemption of
men when we are right in the middle of the salvation of women”? (par. 4).
3. Tamblyn claims that perpetrators should face swift consequences for their actions. In
paragraph 6, she addresses a key counterargument to her claim. How does she characterize
and address this counterargument from others in the entertainment industry?
4. What is Tamblyn’s response to those who claim that some men are feeling “afraid, disoriented,
and discounted” (par. 7)?
5. Tamblyn is trying to “enforce seismic, cultural change” (par. 8). What does she say must
happen to create and maintain this change?
6. Explain what Tamblyn means by “ceding the floor” (par. 9).
7. The woman on the couch says that Louis C.K. will need a new power if he wants to come back into
the public space. What, according to Tamblyn in the last paragraph, will this new power require?
8. Overall, do you think that Tamblyn is optimistic or pessimistic about the chances that
Hollywood will change? What leads you to this conclusion?

Analyzing Language, Style, and Structure

1. Vocabulary in Context. In paragraph 4, Tamblyn asks why we should care about salvaging
male careers. What does the word “salvaging” mean in this context? What are other things
that can be salvaged? What connotation does the word carry in this context?
2. Skill Focus. Even though Tamblyn does not include any stories about her own relevant
experiences in this piece, she does have a presence as a woman working in Hollywood during
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