The
thoroughgoing first person is a demanding mode. It asks for the literary equivalent of perfect pitch. Even good writers occasionally lose
control of their tone and let a self-congratulatory quality slip in. Eager to explain that their heart is in
the right place, they baldly state that they care deeply about matters with
which they appear to be only marginally acquainted. Pretending to confess to their bad behavior, they revel in
their colorfulness.
Tracy
Kidder
I love the photo here.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to tell the truth from the point of view of "I."
ReplyDeleteThis photo reminds me of when I was 14, waiting for my date to arrive, and not wanting to do any work (washing dishes, cleaning up). My grandmother said to my mother, "She's just sitting there, looking at her nails." I was deeply affronted because it was true.