Something that I feel makes this memoir so powerful is its lack of rhetorical strategies. In conveying her life’s story, it seemed as though Jeannette Walls was careful to include only the descriptions of the events that occurred, leaving out commentary regarding the way she felt about them. By doing so, the author makes it possible for the readers to experience their own reactions, formulate their own opinions, and learn important lessons that pertain to them individually. It leaves room for readers to find a connection between the occurrences and relationships found in the story and their own personal lives. What stands out the most in this story is the unconventional childrearing practices of Jeanette’s parents, which typically cause different readers to form varying, strong-minded opinions about their techniques. By leaving out strategies that may distract or sway a reader in one particular direction, the author allows for a complete understanding and possibly even acceptance of their idiosyncratic ways and eccentric personalities.
- Sarcasm “Those bikes aren’t for us, are they?” I asked. “Well, they’re too damned small for your mother and me,” he said (98).
- Aphorism “Dad kept telling me that he loved me, that he never would have let me drown, but you cant cling to the side your whole life…’If you don’t want to sink, you better figure out how to swim”’ (66).
- Detail “I picked up the suitcase. Evan did not insist I give it back to him. In fact, he seemed sort of relieved that I was carrying it” (246).
While the author does not include many rhetorical strategies in the telling of her story, some can be found in dialogue and lessons taught by her parents. Jeannette’s parents, who believe in a “tough love” system of raising children, use sarcasm on many occasions. However, they also use many aphorisms to teach important life lessons that build the character of their children. Finally, Jeannette’s inclusion of detail reveals a great deal about her personality as a result of the way she was brought up. The fact that she takes the time to discuss carrying her own suitcase shows readers that she is independent, strong, and capable of doing things for herself.
I love this! It is so true! I felt the same way about it, but I could never have put it so well. I think this might be one of the reasons why I loved the book so much. Walls did not seem to feel as if she needed to add "fluff" to her work to make it touching and effective. I am glad though that with that style, it didn't turn into something like Hemmingway when it becomes so basic it becomes plain and unattached (in my opinion). About what you said on the suitcase, I loved that about how Walls wrote. She would say something seemingly simple like that, but it would expose so much about the different characters and their own individual stories.
ReplyDeleteThe interesting thing about Walls style of writing was the fact that she lacked "fluff" like both you and Emily stated. I think that she wanted to keep her story straight to the facts without having to allude to rhetorical strategies. Its funny that you mentioned sarcasm as a strategy she used. Sarcasm seems to be the tone of her memoir, but at the same time, she has this undertone of love and compassion for her parents.
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