In How to Become a Writer, author Lorrie Moore describes how Francie, a disgruntled young woman, struggles with writing and other obstructions she faces as a young adult.
The stories narrator, Francie, speaks in a second person point of view which makes it unique among other short stories. What makes this story more interesting is that she is not speaking to the reader but rather herself. The following quote is an example as she instructs the reader to, "Give it to Mr. Killian as your final project. When you get it back, he has written on it: 'Some of your images are quite nice, but you have no sense of plot'" (148). The reader likely does not know of a Mr. Killian. This use of second person point of view makes the reader think that maybe the "advice" that Francie is presenting may just be a disguise of her true intention; to reveal the different events that shaped her life and emotions that accompanied them. As a result, a sense of doubt forms in the reader's mind as they probably no longer expect for this story to teach them how to become a writer.
This story could be told in a first or third person point of view, but it would be missing much of its humorous charm. For example, the following quote is told in the second point of view, "Insist you are not very interested in any one subject at all, that you are interested in the music of language, that you are interested in-in-syllables, because they are the atoms of poetry, the cells of the mind, the breath of the soul" (150). When told in the first person it loses its funny undertone, "I insisted that i am not very interested in any one subject at all and that i am interested in the music of language, that i am interested in syllables, because they are the atoms of poetry, the cells of the mind" (150).
Another thing that should be considered is that perhaps the reader has the impression that they will become a better writer because of the title of the story. Francie ends up quitting her job and school and apparently never becomes a writer. What the author might have been referring to is how Francies experiences developed her into what is understood as a "writer" a person with wild imagination but has no job or goal in life.
Shane,
ReplyDeleteYour post includes many significant insights about the story. You correctly conclude that Moore could have used the first-person point of view in her story; her choice of the second person is appropriate for a guide for writers, which is suggested in the title, but since Francie is revealing aspects of her own life rather than offering advice to writers, it suggests the usefulness of these types of guides. The question also arises as to whether one can follow a specific set of instructions for becoming a writer or each writer follows a different path.
Perhaps I'm young, but I couldn't help but think Francie is the author. Franice is the person of the author's past Moore renames. With all differences aside, what captured my attention is Francie's fragmented monolouge.I like she tells her story in a fast-forward style as if she is telling her story like flickering through the important parts of the film. But I wonder why does Moore writes in the fragmented and speedy style? Any ideas?
ReplyDeleteThese are some insightful thoughts you brought forth! At first I thought that Moore describers her past with this story. After reading the entire story, the experiences that Francie has had began to bother me because I feel that she has had a rough life filled with rejection, confusion, and indecisiveness. What I was hoping was that Moore is a fantastically creative writer who conjured this story from her mind, not from reality. As for the story's writing style, I got the sense that the hurried, fast-forward style signify how frustrated, angry, and bitter Francie has become.
DeleteAnother thing to consider is that maybe this rushed retelling of events is Francie's way of expressing how fast she felt time went by and that she wasted her young adult life.
I also agree that had the author used a different point of view she would have lost the humor and sarcasm in her story. Her choice of the second point of view, works perfectly with the humorous and sarcastic tone that the Moore was trying to achieve in the story. interpreted the title as sarcasm on behalf of Moore, because I believe that what she was trying to say is that, one is born a great writer and that one can not be made into a writer. I also agree that by using the first point of view, Moore manages to distinguish herself from all the other stories we had to read.
ReplyDeleteGreat point about how a sense of doubt forms in the reader's mind about expecting instructions on how to become a writer. Since the title is somewhat misleading into believing there is some type of guide, I believe the story is more about her own quest in becoming a writer. Also I like that you pointed out "What the author might have been referring to is how Francies experiences developed her into what is understood as a 'writer' a person with wild imagination but has no job or goal in life." because this is a cliche about writers and i think the author achieved in many aspects what the idea of a writer is through the character of Francie.
ReplyDeleteHey, Shane. Something about Lorrie Moore's writing makes it really easy for me to understand the feeling she's trying to instill in the reader-- how she felt while thinking back on her experience of becoming a writer. It almost seems to me that she actually came to terms with her interest in "syllables," and decided that she could use it use by further describing her life story. Immediately after the word "syllables" appears in story, I get the feeling that her story is slightly less choppy and sarcastic... like she is able to smooth out her sentence just a little bit. If she keeps this up, theoretically, she can streamline an entire plot. So in essence, her mode of written expression has literally helped her to learn how to create the makings of a good plot!
ReplyDeleteYea i completely agree with you about if the story was told in a different point of view something would be lost. It would become very boring and common. There is also something about this writing style that just makes you continue to read to find out what comes next. Its a very unpredictable and somewhat humorous writing style. I also agree that you lose any thoughts that this story is going to help you become a writer. All in all great post! Really made me think about the story more.
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