6 ms·
It's very clear that the author wrote this for the reader to sympathize with the father; the author's purpose is clearly to relate that she's made major mistake
by flappydev 9y ago
It's very clear that the author wrote this for the reader to sympathize with the father; the author's purpose is clearly to relate that she's made major mistakes in her life, misplacing her relationship with her father. She even mentions that her 'supposedly perfect marriage' [to a rich Princeton Ivy Leaguer like her] ended up in divorce.
It's very clear the tone, and it is in no way subtle; this is a piece meant for compassion for the father, and I assume is a cathartic release for the author. By writing it up and admitting her faults openly, she's giving herself the chance to forgive herself.
- rtx 9y agoNot with that big of an ego. She can just call and say sorry.
- mahyarm 9y agoMaking an art piece has more meaning than just a phone call
- bussierem 9y agoWhile I appreciate the response and explanation, the constant hammering of how "obvious" the point of this was is very irritating, since it is easy to see this was not apparent to me.
- eropple 9y agoI don't like the use of the word "obvious" because of the pejorative connotations, but to me it seemed pretty self-evident when reading for effect (rather than the read-for-"content" that seems more common around here) that this piece should be taken as self-reflective and more than a little ironic. It's all the little things: word choice, framing of all the characters (author, father, author's husband, brother, brother's wife), and in particular the structure of the ending. It's the sort of thing you read in English Comp classes to recognize those signposts; if it's something that isn't regularly apparent to you, maybe it's a subject worth exploring further.
- Baeocystin 9y agoIt was clear in its particularly East Coast Smug sort of literary omphaloskepsis. It isn't as easy as it reads to project a constant sense of superiority while pretending to be self-critical. I see the framing choice as a way to separate the author from any potential agency, a story viewed from behind glass, immutable. This conveniently absolves her of needing to actually grow, and the messiness inherent in the process. // (Please note this is in no way a criticism of you, or your point, with which I agree. But my experiences as a person who didn't live in the states until I was a teen give me... strong opinions about children who refuse to understand the deep sacrifices made to give them a shot (and that's what it is, just a shot) at a better life, no guarantees.)
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- sgt101 9y agoInteresting - have you read a lot? For me the intents of writers have become clearer over the years as I have read more and more widely.
- pervycreeper 9y agoThat's one possible interpretation, but it becomes an improbable one once one considers the extraordinary narcissism, entitlement, gynocentrism, and elitism which prevails in the social stratum which she now occupies. Affected self-awareness is merely a dissimulation tactic.
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]
- sctb 9y agoI think this qualifies as the kind of generic ideological comment that we've asked you before not to post. The discussions that follow are almost never the intellectually interesting kind we're after here.
- pervycreeper 9y agoI'm not sure what ideology you have in mind? Legitimately baffled.