An American Childhood CRP
An American Childhood Critical Reading Portfolio Entry
Section I: Significance of Title The title is significant because many of the aspects of Annie Dillard’s growing up were uniquely American. Things such as the freedom to do certain things as well as the conditions in which everyone lived were characteristics that were not adopted worldwide. The title is also important because much of the book encompassed Annie’s childhood and the process that she followed in her growing up and discovering herself.
Section II: Author The author is Annie Dillard and the book directly concerns her because it is a story about her childhood. It discusses the problems that Annie had growing up as well as many of the unique features that Annie Dillard possessed as a child. These topics include Annie’s less common interests, such as rock and bird collecting, and her very individual perspectives on things such as living and how to truly enjoy and savor your life.
Section III: Setting The book is set in the 1950’s to the 1960’s in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During this time racism is present, but it is not glaringly obvious due to the Dillard’s location in the northern United States. During the time of the book Pittsburgh is also experiencing significant growth. Technology and manufacturing are also progressing significantly during this time. These facts are important to the story because the childhood of Annie Dillard would not have been the same without her unique experiences in this particular moment in time for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The setting of the book is not very easily related to the time it was written because so many things had changed after the content of the book. Annie Dillard has graduated college, Pittsburgh has changed, African Americans have gained equal rights, and technology has moved incredibly far since the context of the story to the writing of the book.
Section IV: Plot The exposition of An American Childhood begins with Annie Dillard and her
Section I: Significance of Title The title is significant because many of the aspects of Annie Dillard’s growing up were uniquely American. Things such as the freedom to do certain things as well as the conditions in which everyone lived were characteristics that were not adopted worldwide. The title is also important because much of the book encompassed Annie’s childhood and the process that she followed in her growing up and discovering herself.
Section II: Author The author is Annie Dillard and the book directly concerns her because it is a story about her childhood. It discusses the problems that Annie had growing up as well as many of the unique features that Annie Dillard possessed as a child. These topics include Annie’s less common interests, such as rock and bird collecting, and her very individual perspectives on things such as living and how to truly enjoy and savor your life.
Section III: Setting The book is set in the 1950’s to the 1960’s in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During this time racism is present, but it is not glaringly obvious due to the Dillard’s location in the northern United States. During the time of the book Pittsburgh is also experiencing significant growth. Technology and manufacturing are also progressing significantly during this time. These facts are important to the story because the childhood of Annie Dillard would not have been the same without her unique experiences in this particular moment in time for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The setting of the book is not very easily related to the time it was written because so many things had changed after the content of the book. Annie Dillard has graduated college, Pittsburgh has changed, African Americans have gained equal rights, and technology has moved incredibly far since the context of the story to the writing of the book.
Section IV: Plot The exposition of An American Childhood begins with Annie Dillard and her