Black and Hogg’s essays, “I’m a Believer” and “The Joy of Mud,” each describe a unique experience, however, they share many of the same conventions discussed by Ballenger as typical of many personal essays. The most obvious similarity between the two writings is that they are both written in the first person. The use of “I” allows the readers to see into the thoughts and feelings of the authors during each of their experiences. Both of the author’s also write with a “commonplace”, which Ballenger describes as an activity typical of everyday life, as their subject (94). Not everyone may share in Hogg’s obsession with the Monkees lead singer Davy, but most people have a favorite performer that they prefer over any musician. As for Black’s essay, the majority of people can relate to the idea of a town or city having a deeper meaning personally. Both Black and Hogg use a narrative method to write about their subjects. The essays tell the reader more than just the facts; they go deeper into the story and explore the actual thoughts of the authors. In “I’m a Believer” Hogg recounts the moment she realizes the truth about Davy by saying, “I accept, finally, that this person I know so well I don’t really know at all, and I, the daydream believer, am just a fan” (B10). Hogg allows readers to see her own thought process in order to help them understand the meaning behind her essay. Hogg does occasionally deviate from the typical form of personal essays in her work, though, to write in a more informative style. Mixed in with her account of her obsession with Davy, is a lot of background and historical information on the Monkees themselves. However, much of the detail she provides is necessary for the reader to understand her heinous obsession with Davy. Unlike Hogg, Black uses mostly narrative to recount her experience. In “The Joy of Mud,” Black also lets the readers see into her head. When Black first discovers the beauty of the Waiahole Valley she had always ignored growing up, she states that she was “stunned by the realization that this place has always existed” (B12). During her journey, Black undergoes a learning process that she allows her readers to watch develop. Another way Hogg and Black’s essays follow the typical pattern of personal essays described by Ballenger is the way they both acquire research for their topics. Since both authors relate their emotions directly to the readers, the majority of their essays rely on personal observation for information on their subject. Though Hogg’s “I’m a Believer” contains some technical information on the Monkees, most of the plot is developed through Hogg’s actual experience with Davy and the band. Both authors also employ the dialectical process to help them form their essays. Hogg and Black shift back and forth from the past and present and show what happened to them rather than just tell what did. In “ I’m a Believer” Hogg begins her story as a 15 year old and then later jumps ahead to her encounter with Davy as a 27 year old. As for Black, she begins her story in the present and then travels to the past to give the reader’s background information, and finally returns to the present for the conclusion of her essay. Also, Hogg and Black’s use of personal emotions allows them to develop their story, rather than just state the facts. Finally, Hogg and Black both introduce a vague thesis at the end of their essays, leaving much room for interpretation from readers. Personally, I believe the message Hogg is trying to relate to her readers is that sometimes people do not always know others as well as they thought they did. For instance, someone they idolize could turn out to be not as admirable once they really get to know him or her. This idea comes from one of Hogg’s final thoughts, “…this person I know so well I don’t really know at all, and I, the daydream believer am just a fan” (B10). Black’s thesis and message also comes at the end of her work. Black reflects on her day in the Waiahole Valley by saying, “I’ll have to admit that I’m only at the beginning of a path I never expected to travel” (B15). Her discovery of her love for her hometown is an example of how people should not let places or experiences pass them by because they might miss the beauty in them. Hogg and Black’s use of first person, commonplace subjects, narrative, and emotion help them to develop meaningful and powerful personal essays.
Word Count: 760
3 comments:
Your response did a really good job of going through Ballenger’s points of what a typical personal essay possesses. You talked about each point thoroughly and gave examples from the text. I like when you said that “Hogg allows readers to see her own thought process…” I felt that she really brought the reader into her world and took them step by step through her obsession with Davy Jones. She really did captivate us and let us see exactly what she was thinking at all times. You also mentioned that Black lets us watch her develop, which I completely agree with. She let us really see a complete change in her as a person as we see where she was at the beginning of her essay and at the end. We were able to see throughout the stories everything that these two authors learned and as readers we were able to relate.
I agree with all of your ideas about Hogg and Black following Ballanger's guidelines to personal essays. However I did have a differing opinion on some issues. You discussed how Hogg and Black shifted back and forth from the then and now to relate their ideas better. I agree with you on Black's essay completely. However; for Hogg I felt she didnt go back and forth as much as she went forward in time. Her story progressively brought her closer to the now. Up until the final moment where she reveals her thesis. Other than that, I felt you compared the materials in a great light, that really broke down the different foundations Ballanger laid.
I agree with your analysis of both Black and Hogg's essays. In Black's essay, you said Black lets the readers see into her head.I agree with this point. She explained the details she saw the beautiful nature in Hawaii and let us to really get into the pictures in her head. And also to feel her strong emotion. Also, I agree with the idea that authors tell the readers more than just the facts but they go deeper into the story and let readers know their emotion and thought. In both Hogg and Black's essays, they do not really tell directly what they think but express their impresstions by depicting the situations and experiences.
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