pditzler
New Member
I'm here to analyze literature and be a cool kid, and I'm all done being a cool kid.
Posts: 16
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Post by pditzler on Sept 23, 2015 16:34:08 GMT
The point of view in Accident is the seldom used second person narration. You, the reader, are the subject of the story, drawn into the events. The author starts with the use of a common incident to have the readers relate more easily to the unfolding story. As the story unfolds, the narrator forces dialogue and thoughts onto an unspecified main character, uniquely challenging the readers to privately think about the likelihood that they themselves would utter those words and conceive those thoughts. As the protagonist becomes evidently more unusual in his or her handling of the accident, the audience is given time to reflect on the instability of the character's emotions before they encounter the most uncomfortable use of this personal point of view. The narrator asserts that "You" feel deep loneliness and have a strong desire for human contact. This is expressed in the lines, "...because you are so lonely, so lonely always, and all contact is contact, and all contact makes us so grateful we want to cry and dance and cry". The extreme burst of awkward emotions helps readers confirm their prior thoughts about the mental stability of the narrator who seems to be pushing desolate feelings onto them. Although most readers would be turned off by this release of pent up depressing thoughts, there is also the chance for the audience to think about their own experiences with vulnerability, creating a dramatic rift between readers' narrative voices and interpretations.
In what other ways do you think the point of view affects the impressions a story leaves on the readers?
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Post by dgarrett on Sept 23, 2015 21:38:04 GMT
Well said Peter, I totally agree with you. I also noticed that the progression of personal closeness that the author uses through the point of view allows the reader to deeply think about what the author is trying to convey. Eggers starts off with very choppy syntax that has no personal feelings at all, and leads into deep self contemplation. This shift reinforces the effectiveness of the second person point of view, and leaves a large personal impression on the reader.
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Post by sydniemarkowitz on Sept 25, 2015 0:10:01 GMT
I agree with both of you, but I also think it is interesting how throughout the story he tries to relate to the reader, by using second person point of view, but then throws in the last line about the boxers. Majority of people have never boxed before or know little about boxing, so it is like he is trying to connect more than possible. He says "In a moment of clarity, you finally understand....., so thankful for a moment of peace". I think some readers do not really understand the whole boxing reference, like myself who has never watched boxing. Before that last paragraph, I kind of understood where the narrator was coming from. If I got into an accident, I would not be really worried about what type of car they have or if they are going to like me, more so if I am safe and if they are too. The point of view definitely makes the reader more able to feel empathy for the narrator.
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Post by Emily Shea on Sept 25, 2015 0:48:24 GMT
I completely agree with all the points you guys made! The use of this second person point of view really made me feel like I caused the accident. By being figuratively in the story, I was able to really see and feel what was going on and develop a better sense for the theme. The rarity of this particular point of view made it much more effective to me because I'm not used to reading a story where I'm the center of the action.
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