Thursday, January 15, 2015
"Jolts of Sobriety" American Male at Age 10
One paragraph that really caught my attention was when they talked about AIDS and abortion, because in the midst of this light-hearted essay, very deep and important subjects were brought up. In fact, this same mixture between seriousness and humor was what kept the writing alive and entertaining. The author describes it as "jolts of sobriety in the midst of rank goofiness" (3). This is precisely what Orlean does throughout the story, while "horsing around" she brings up questions about the value of money in Capitalist America, the effects of video games in our youth, the importance of recycling for climate change, and even gender stereotypes are challenged. The author also uses figurative language, specifically similes: "each comes as a fresh, hard surprise, like finding a razor blade in a candy apple." (3). The effect of this simile is impacting, because finding a razor blade around a child is dangerous, paralleling that finding this much seriousness in a child can also be dangerous. It reflects the kinds of information that an American child is exposed of, and reflects the importance that it needs to be accompanied with the right education so it is no longer a threat for the child's safety. However, this same simile has also an element of randomness, and it's also this unpredictability that is echoed throughout the rest of the essay in order to keep the reader guessing at what comes next. Furthermore, the use of dialogue and quotations to invoke Colin's voice was very useful to keep the reader's attention. For instance, hearing a 10 year old ask "will you have an abortion if you find out you have a boy?" brings with it the innocence only obtained in childhood. By reading that question in Colin's voice, the reader questions whether the boy is aware of all the drama and turmoil occurring over abortion in the world of adults, and in a way takes the reader back to their own childhood. This journey back to the past creates a connection between the reader and the story based on old memories and the pull of heartstrings that only come about through nostalgia.
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This is the same passage that I chose to respond to and I find it really interesting that our commentaries don't actually overlap that much. It shows how much there is to talk about this passage and her writing in general. Her use of simile, like the one you pointed out, mirrors directly the juxtaposition of serious and lightheartedness that the piece embodies, and also contributes to it as well like you've said. I also really like your analysis of the dialogue in the piece because it keeps the voice of the younger self alive and in character. I really enjoy this passage you chose and I really enjoy your analysis of it.
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