Post by christinam on Mar 11, 2009 21:30:42 GMT -5
[li] Dilliard’s mother, as eccentric as we knew she is, is an individual that prides herself on being just that, an individual. She challenged ideas and even every day items, because she had a fresh and unique outlook on life. Learning this, you can tell that Annie, since she was raised around such an influence, that she has adapted these qualities for herself, making her own point of view in all situations, or at the very least have a lot of respect and possibly even admiration towards those who are able to have such an independent mindset. You can tell that she is extremely influenced by her mother because of her straight forward language, the way she is able to recount events and their effect on her mother, and also from the fact that she has a humorous tone throughout the piece, although it isn’t as outright as her mothers humor, it is definitely apparent.
[/li][li] The power of language, the way it is able to edict such emotions from people, especially in Dillard’s examples, because it all happens in such everyday language that usually you aren’t aware of what language is capable of, or even what it has already done. This essay is more about language then it is about Dillards own mother, because it is simply using instances that has occurred with Dillard’s mother life, that have affected her and it is because of the language that is said, rather then simply because it is her mother that is saying it.
[/li][li] The connection between a mother and a daughter is a powerful one, a mother teaches a daughter everything she needs to know about in life, and obviously holds a strong influence over that child, much as language holds an influence on everyone that uses it, and the purpose of this piece is to depict how both influences are similar.
Language and Style
[/li][li] Phonetically, the phrases use harsh constant sounds, and they use so many in one word, such as Terwilliger, Poinciana, and Tamiami, that when used in context, it makes a larger impact.
[/li][li] The writing is so invigorating due to the simplistic words used, because with words that are so simple, they are easier for a broader range of readers to follow and understand, and it also it makes things simplier.
[/li][li] She is so specific, because with the specific details you are able to portray the story more clearly, and that image created would be the same to the entire audience because she is telling exactly what happened.
Strategy and Structure
[/li][li] Her mother is used as such a good model, because there are many significant similarities between the two of them that by depicting her mothers quirks, and sharing her stories it is the equivalent to sharing her own quirks and stories.
[/li][li] By not using her mother’s name, Dillard manages to keep her anonymous, but instead of stripping her of her humanity, it adds to the impact of the story. By an anonymous character still having such an impact on the overall story, it makes you realize that simply the personality of the person is what matters, not the identification.
[/li][li]The fact that she ended the piece on that note because it is what ultimately what her entire childhood built up to, the overall personality development that made her grow up into an individual that has the exact, think-for-yourself mindset. [/li][/ul]
