Reading Log 8

In Didion's essay, I think her idea of keeping a notebook is analogous to someone who keeps a scrap book. Although it may be shown to someone else, the real reason for keeping it is to remind yourself of the fun times you've had in life and to be able to reminisce about the past.

Although it may appear at first that Didion is not writing for a particular purpose, I think it can be argued that she is trying to persuade readers to keep a their own personal notebooks. Almost the entire essay is spent giving reasons why keeping a notebook is a good idea and what it has meant to her. Another reason I say this is persuasive is because she brings in outside opinions and argues against them. For example she says, “We are brought up in the ethic that others, any others, are by definition more interesting than ourselves; taught to be diffident, just this side of self-effacing.”(78). However, Didion does not want to remember to happened to others, she wants to remember what she experienced. She also argues that keeping a notebook is an easy way to keep track of what happened in your life, and also gives you something to do to keep yourself from being bored.

She does have a good point when she talks about people remembering what their experience of life was like. At the present time you might think something is important, but what is really going to matter in the end is that you had a good time and enjoyed whatever it was that you were doing.

In Welty’s essay, I think she does exactly what Didion is trying to encourage her readers to do, write about meaningful things in one’s life. I would say that Welty does not show much concern for her audience. She is mostly talking about memories that would only seem interesting to her or her family. I say this because there is no conflict or problem in her essay, she is simply telling about what she liked to read growing up. If this essay had any purpose at all to a broad audience I would say that it is to encourage them to read and also give suggestions of books the author found entertaining.

I personally have never kept a notebook, but this is probably because I do not see myself as a writer or someone who is gifted in the area of English and writing. It is also hard for me to narrow down and organize my thoughts when I am thinking about such broad topics such as what happened in my day. I would much rather do something like make a scrapbook to keep track of my memories. I think everyone has different ways to reminisce about the past and writing may not be the best way for everyone.

I do not have the same opinion as Welty when it comes to voice. I do not read and write in the same voice. When I read a piece of literature, especially if it is written well, I will hear it in what I imagine the author’s voice to sound like. I know language is important, but I do not feel like everything needs to be written down in words to be valued as important. If someone is not as gifted in composing literature, there are other ways for them to get their thoughts across to others.