Engl 1144 Notes

Welty - “One Writer’s Beginnings” * Excerpt from Welty’s autobiography * Significance of the title – “one writer’s” rather than “my” – larger purpose to the piece, even though it’s about herself * What her parents read influenced who she read and that influenced her writing * Knows what her parents favourite books are – those help indicate their personalities * “Expressive readers” and direct/indirect meanings (end of par. 1) * The physicality of books is important (par. 10 & 15) * Children’s books – book translated to “one syllable words” for children * Children don’t always get the morals * Par. 14 - things children should know * “I believe the alphabet is no longer considered an essential piece of equipment for traveling through life” (par. 14) * Ending is most creative – trying to show she is a good writer * Main idea of piece – the power of reading to shape a love of words and how parents can influence the love of reading (par. 1) * Par. 6 & 8 – figurative language * Par. 9 – So many references to build a volume of writing – shows she was inspired by many
Atwood - “Nine Beginnings,” * Nine possible answers to the same question – from different directions
– What do the different beginnings contribute to the overall essay? * Each of the nine present its answer, but there is an collective indirect meaning * Interview style piece into essay * First three are very similar – doesn’t really give answer, gives more questions * Multiple beginnings suggest she may have more to say than she thinks * “Saying you’ll write about your writing is a social obligation. It’s not an obligation to the writing” (par. 3) – doesn’t improve writing, could hinder her writing, people want her secret - she doesn’t know herself * Writing as a vocation (personal), not just a job * Par. 21 – She does not write to speak for others * Par. 25 – Gives typical answers, spoofing “why does the sun