Mark Biswas
ENG 11000
Jason E Lobell
05/01/2024
Thesis: The narratives of Norton, Didion, Walker, and Ellison, analyzed alongside scholarly interpretations, reveal the profound impact of storytelling and the diverse rhetorical strategies employed by each author to engage readers, prompting reflection, and fostering understanding.
Title: Rehtorical Analysis Essay
Literature, in its myriad forms, has long served as a conduit for authors to convey their experiences, beliefs, and societal critiques. This essay embarks on a thorough examination of the narratives crafted by Norton, Didion, Walker, and Ellison, aiming to dissect the rhetorical strategies employed by each author. Through an exploration of their respective works—Norton’s “Writing a Literacy Narrative,” Didion’s “Why I Write,” Walker’s “Everyday Use,” and Ellison’s “Harlem is Nowhere”—we seek to unravel how these authors effectively communicate their messages and engage readers.
Norton’s “Writing a Literacy Narrative”
Norton’s “Writing a Literacy Narrative” stands as a foundational text in the realm of personal storytelling. Norton adopts a reflective and instructional tone, drawing from personal experience and expertise in literacy studies to guide readers through the process of constructing their own narratives. The strategic use of rhetorical questions serves to prompt introspection and foster reader engagement, encouraging individuals to explore their own literacy journeys.
Joan Didion’s “Why I Write”
In “Why I Write,” Didion offers readers a candid glimpse into the motivations and existential struggles that underpin her identity as a writer. Through a masterful blend of personal anecdotes and philosophical reflections, Didion constructs a narrative that is both introspective and universally resonant. The strategic incorporation of vivid imagery and concise prose captivates readers, compelling them to reflect on their own creative impulses and existential inquiries.
Muggli, Mark Z. “The Poetics of Joan Didion’s Journalism.” American Literature, vol. 59, no. 3, 1987, pp. 402–21. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/2927124. Accessed 8 May 2024.
While general analyses of print media by historians, political scientists, sociologists, and communication theorists are common, close examination of individual journalistic texts is rare. Some scholars like Shelley Fisher Fishkin have studied the relationship between journalism and fiction, while the New Journalism movement sparked discussions on factual works by writers such as Norman Mailer and Tom Wolfe. However, even notable figures like Joan Didion receive limited attention in this regard. Didion’s journalism stands out not just because of her literary stature but also due to its authoritative tone and unique portrayal of events, diverging from traditional reporting. Recent discussions on literary journalism have focused on reporters’ involvement in their stories and the debate between “objective” presentation and “subjective” interpretation. Didion’s use of the first-person narrative has garnered attention, but her distinctive portrayal of events remains a key aspect deserving further analysis.
Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use”
“Everyday Use” by Alice Walker intricately weaves together themes of heritage, identity, and familial relationships within the framework of a short story. Walker’s narrative prowess shines through her adept use of dialect, symbolism, and character development, which serve to immerse readers in the lives of her characters. The juxtaposition of traditional values with modern ideologies underscores the complexities of cultural identity and familial dynamics, prompting readers to contemplate the significance of heritage and the enduring power of personal narratives.
Alice Walker’s second novel, “Meridian” (1976), follows the life of Meridian Hill, a young African American woman who sacrifices her relationship with her child to pursue education at Saxon College during the civil rights era. After a brief involvement with a revolutionary group in New York, Meridian returns to the South, embracing the activism of the civil rights movement. The narrative begins in the mid-1970s with the arrival of Truman Held, Meridian’s former lover, in her small Southern town. Truman’s presence triggers a series of flashbacks and fragmented stories, creating a narrative that Walker describes as a “crazy quilt” in structure and content, capable of moving across time and incorporating various levels of meaning, including myth.
Ralph Ellison’s “Harlem is Nowhere”
“Harlem is Nowhere” by Ralph Ellison offers readers a vivid portrayal of urban life and the struggles faced by marginalized communities. Ellison’s richly descriptive language and evocative imagery transport readers to the streets of Harlem, immersing them in the sights, sounds, and textures of the city. Through the seamless integration of social commentary with personal narrative, Ellison sheds light on the complexities of identity, belonging, and cultural alienation, challenging readers to confront the harsh realities of urban life and recognize the resilience of its inhabitants.
Bosse, W. (2020, September 18). “Oh, man, I’m nowhere.” Routledge eBooks. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003056027-19
Walter Bosse analyzes Ralph Ellison’s essay “Harlem Is Nowhere,” focusing on Ellison’s exploration of space in mid-20th century Harlem. Bosse argues that Ellison’s text offers a unique perspective on urban black modernity, emphasizing the significance of the Lafargue Psychiatric Clinic as an institutional setting. Bosse highlights how patients’ response of “I’m nowhere” to the question “How are you?” reflects both the challenges of life in Harlem and a form of agency, as individuals assert control over their existence by embracing the concept of “nowhere.” This rejection of societal binaries allows for the construction of alternative spaces filled with potential for liberation, offering new insights into the history of the black Atlantic and the black vernacular.
In conclusion, the narratives of Norton, Didion, Walker, and Ellison serve as poignant reminders of the transformative power of storytelling. Through their adept use of rhetorical strategies, including ethos, pathos, and logos, these authors engage readers on intellectual and emotional levels, prompting reflection and fostering understanding. By dissecting the rhetorical strategies employed by each author and examining scholarly analyses that support the argument, we gain a deeper understanding of the complexities inherent in narrative construction and its profound impact on readers.
