An Analysis of Alice Walker’s Techniques in Writing
In the pursuit of writing, it is important to attain and maintain effective means of communication so as to completely convey a specific message towards readers. In particular, it may be most appropriate to evaluate a specific piece of literature or passage in terms of how strategies such as cause and effect, descriptive detail, and narration are successfully applied. Therefore, in order to gain further understanding and appreciation regarding the proper use of such strategies in effectively sending a message to readers, an analysis of how cause and effect, descriptive detail, and narration are used in Alice Walker’s My Daughter Smokes is conducted.
As aforementioned, among the strategies to be assessed is the use of cause and effect, which has been applied throughout My Daughter Smokes in effectively letting the readers know of the long term health repercussions of smoking. In particular, Walker directly stated the following, pertaining to her father; “My father died from "the poor man's friend," pneumonia, one hard winter when his bronchitis and emphysema had left him low. I doubt he had much lung left at all, after coughing for so many years” (n.d. par.13). Evidently, such a line implies the fact that from smoking, which is represented by the fact that her father was constantly coughing, one’s health would be severely compromised up to the point where in battles against fatal diseases would become futile. In effect, the reader immediately and easily understands the point that smoking most definitely causes health problems and in effect kills and individual, which of course attains a more serious and concerning effect if loved ones are considered.
Other messages that require further and deeper explanations may need another strategy, and in such situations descriptive detail comes into mind. In My Daughter Smokes, descriptive detail is used to effectively convey the imagery of how addicted her daughter is to smoking. To quote, Walker writes; “My daughter smokes. While she is doing her homework her feet on the bench in front of her and her calculator clicking out answers to her algebra problems. I am looking at the half-empty package of Camels tossed carelessly close at hand. Camels. I pick them up, take them into the kitchen, where the light is better, and study them-they're filtered, for which I am grateful.” (n.d. par.1). Due to such details, it becomes apparent to the reader that smoking has indeed become a part of the everyday life of her daughter, as implied by the fact that her daughter smokes even during her studies. As a result, a depressing message is emphasized, pertaining to feeling of individuals that has loved ones who are addicted to smoking.
In contrast to the use of cause and effect and descriptive detail, narrations on the other hand are most effective in portraying a message of gradual progression throughout time, which has been utilized throughout the story in relation to how her father’s condition has worsened through the years. Specifically, narration has been applied throughout the following lines; “Perhaps it was unnoticeable at first. A little hacking in the morning as he lit his first cigarette upon getting out of bed. By the time I was my daughter's age, his breath was a wheeze, embarrassing to hear; he could not climb stairs without resting every third or fourth step. It was not unusual for him to cough for an hour.” (n.d. par.5). Readers would of course immediately get the meaning of such lines, as the narration is so clear and effective in emphasizing the capability of such an addiction in slowly killing off an individual. In the same manner, once more, a message regarding her despair is emphasized.
From the lines discussed, it becomes evident that the central thought regarding the unconstructive nature of smoking has been effectively established. The reason for such is that the use of strategies allows for explanations, details, and messages to be made more effective in certain scenarios. Therefore, in order to effectively communicate with readers, appropriately choosing as to which strategy to apply, either cause and effect, descriptive detail, or narration, in relation to a specific message to be conveyed is necessary.
As aforementioned, among the strategies to be assessed is the use of cause and effect, which has been applied throughout My Daughter Smokes in effectively letting the readers know of the long term health repercussions of smoking. In particular, Walker directly stated the following, pertaining to her father; “My father died from "the poor man's friend," pneumonia, one hard winter when his bronchitis and emphysema had left him low. I doubt he had much lung left at all, after coughing for so many years” (n.d. par.13). Evidently, such a line implies the fact that from smoking, which is represented by the fact that her father was constantly coughing, one’s health would be severely compromised up to the point where in battles against fatal diseases would become futile. In effect, the reader immediately and easily understands the point that smoking most definitely causes health problems and in effect kills and individual, which of course attains a more serious and concerning effect if loved ones are considered.
Other messages that require further and deeper explanations may need another strategy, and in such situations descriptive detail comes into mind. In My Daughter Smokes, descriptive detail is used to effectively convey the imagery of how addicted her daughter is to smoking. To quote, Walker writes; “My daughter smokes. While she is doing her homework her feet on the bench in front of her and her calculator clicking out answers to her algebra problems. I am looking at the half-empty package of Camels tossed carelessly close at hand. Camels. I pick them up, take them into the kitchen, where the light is better, and study them-they're filtered, for which I am grateful.” (n.d. par.1). Due to such details, it becomes apparent to the reader that smoking has indeed become a part of the everyday life of her daughter, as implied by the fact that her daughter smokes even during her studies. As a result, a depressing message is emphasized, pertaining to feeling of individuals that has loved ones who are addicted to smoking.
In contrast to the use of cause and effect and descriptive detail, narrations on the other hand are most effective in portraying a message of gradual progression throughout time, which has been utilized throughout the story in relation to how her father’s condition has worsened through the years. Specifically, narration has been applied throughout the following lines; “Perhaps it was unnoticeable at first. A little hacking in the morning as he lit his first cigarette upon getting out of bed. By the time I was my daughter's age, his breath was a wheeze, embarrassing to hear; he could not climb stairs without resting every third or fourth step. It was not unusual for him to cough for an hour.” (n.d. par.5). Readers would of course immediately get the meaning of such lines, as the narration is so clear and effective in emphasizing the capability of such an addiction in slowly killing off an individual. In the same manner, once more, a message regarding her despair is emphasized.
From the lines discussed, it becomes evident that the central thought regarding the unconstructive nature of smoking has been effectively established. The reason for such is that the use of strategies allows for explanations, details, and messages to be made more effective in certain scenarios. Therefore, in order to effectively communicate with readers, appropriately choosing as to which strategy to apply, either cause and effect, descriptive detail, or narration, in relation to a specific message to be conveyed is necessary.
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