Use of Language in Mechanics of Being
Introduction
Jerald Walker has employed utilization of detailed information as well as free flowing language to establish the details of his life. Free flowing language allows the author to include every aspect of information which is critical in development of the essay. Hence authors who are aspiring to include all the nitty gritty details of their narratives should adopt a free flowing mode of communication which is not only coherent but also easy to understand. Use of literary jargon may hinder the ulterior motive of the author as the expected response may not be attained. Free flowing grammar provides a greater chance for the author to establish a platform where detailed information is significantly important when explaining the various situations which he encountered when growing up. Mechanics of being is a highly descriptive story which leaves no chance for the reader to pose or use own imagination to capture what happened in addition to there being no missing links in between.
Discussion
The author’s use of detail
Jerald Walker has used intense details in executing the purpose of the narrative by including all the aspects which could have occurred at that time when the narrative was being compiled. Such narratives are referred to as descriptive due to the amount of details included in each as well as the vivid explanation of various aspects of the narrative (Walker, 2008).Similarly, the narrative answers the four major literary questions in depth that is why, when, who and what. These dimensions of literature are fundamental to identification of various concepts of the narrative as they provide guidelines on how much information should be revealed. Alternatively, the point at which certain aspects will be discussed as well as who will be mentioned are part of the free flowing narrative (Walker, 2008).One reason why the author decided on using descriptive style for his work was a way of ensuring that all details which were necessarily to supporting the pivotal point were introduced appropriately.
Research has shown that narratives which do not provide details which support the main point or else including a more advance access to information which is not availed at any other phase of the narrative (Walker, 2008). A good example of using details to support key points is exemplified on the way in which the author states that, “my parents were thrilled by the news.” Although, the author’s parents were blind, they had to show their excitement after realizing that their son was aiming higher. This phrase indicates the hope which was present in his parents especially as both of them never had a similar opportunity of achieving such dreams (Walker, 2008).Further on in the story, the author provides a clear overview of the events which led to the present blindness among his parents. Despite the fact that he was not around during that time similarly to the reader who never realized that such an event had occurred, the vivid explanation of the scenario made when relieving the moment and in is doing the circumstances prevailing at that time are understood better (Walker, 2008).This could not have been the case had the author decided to leave such crucial details out of the story.
Hence use of details provides a better opportunity for the reader to identify with the events which occurred and in the process, a clear picture of the author’s father is obtained. The phrase “I never told my parents about the fall” is critical in understanding the family background of the author’s father. This creates a flashback moment for the father when he remembers incidences which occurred during his childhood (Walker, 2008).Use of flashback is enhanced in the whole story as initially the author had contemplated writing about his own life but later on changes his mind and writes about his father. Since the author was not alive during his fathers childhood as well as his mother’s he adopts a flashback mechanism where he asks his parent’s to incorporate what they went through into his story. This aspect of using memories to compile the story is aimed at generating closer more dept understanding of the story as well as integrating the tribulations to the authors life (Walker, 2008). At some point, he asks both parents to narrate their life prior to the catastrophe which gives us a detailed explanation of how they would have wanted their lives to be shaped. This concept would not have been quite clear had the parents not given a detailed narration of such events. Similarly, the reader would not be able to create the link between the various happenings and the direction adapted by the author academically and career wise (Walker, 2008).
The author’s use of language
The language style used by Walker is descriptive free flowing narration which is aimed at helping the reader understand key aspects of the narration in addition to making them develop a clear perception of the events childhood surrounding the author’s father. Descriptive language increases the ability of the author to enhance the flow of information as well as enabling the reader to follow the plot of the story hence keeping track of the events as they unveil (Walker, 2008).The author has also mastered the art of using simple literary terms which are easily understood by the reader as well as use avoiding complex styles of literature which may be difficult to decipher. Phrases such as “I am going to write a novel about myself” are easily recognized as well as simple when deciphering for the average reader hence increasing the population of non-literary savvy readers developing interest in the story (Walker, 2008). The clientele intended by the author is identified in the way in which the narrative incorporates flowery language aimed at emphasizing key areas of the narration (Walker, 2008).
Conclusion
Jerald Walker had a simple mission in his narration, to make people understand that a human beings is capable of attaining so much as long as they are determined. Therefore, he adopted a simple literary style which provides a more advanced description of events that occurred long before he was born. The author pays more attention to details than the rules surrounding accomplished literary work to the advantage of the reader.
Reference
Walker, J. (2008), Mechanics of being. The Missouri Review. Vol. 31, iss. 1. pp. 136- 144.
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