I associated Taylor’s essay a lot with Dorothy Allison’s “Two
or Three Things I Know for Sure.” Both
write with a matter-of-fact tone, relying on their description of characters to
give color to their story. This makes
the writing easily accessible and also keeps the tone of the words in line with
the themes and setting in each piece. In
Taylor’s essay, the reoccurring notion is that simple, homely people in a small
town setting can be the most emotionally impactful and relevant people in one’s
life. Similarly, in Allison’s piece, we
are presented with pictures of a “rough” family; people who do not necessarily
meet expectations for the support system for a young woman, but never the less
are the people closest to her in life - for better or worse.
Both stories offer sympathy to “dirty” or unrefined characters – Taylor throughout
and Allison through her description of her ill-aged aunt.
Good recognition.
ReplyDelete“An ordinary life examined closely reveals itself to be exquisite and complicated and exceptional, somehow managing to be both heroic and plain.” - Susan Orlean
I think that is a great observation. I think what makes this idea work so well is because people don't really have a choice in whom in in their hometown/family network. I think we see this lack of choice as an immediate "no good," but to have the ability to recognize their faults and to separate oneself is almost a blessing in disguise.
ReplyDelete