Ratiocination - using reason, exact thinking. This is a stereotypical masculine word. In the 1840's Edgar Poe wrote several novels which featured detective Dupin. The detective was involved in ratiocination. He arrived at the conclusion of a murder by deciphering clues and reading people and streets. Dupin used reason and intellect to apply reason to a chaotic and dark city.This took place in antebellum New York during the rise of the Penny Press. The city was seen as anonymous, sexually charged and full of vice. The city was seen as female. Prostitution run rampant, but the issue was edged out as abortion and police reform took precedent.
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See book: Mysterious Death of Mary Rogers
Ratiocination - Definition & pronunciation
