Response To Annie Dillard's Essay 'Seeing'
Carrillo, Andrea
GEW 101-25878
Dr. Walter Dutton
25 March 2013
Perspective
Annie Dillard wrote the essay “Seeing”, which is about the ability to change your perspective on the world around you. Throughout her essay, the author refers to objects such as blades of grass and the universe to demonstrate to her readers that many things are sometimes forgotten or not thoroughly thought about. The author uses themes such as the effect light and dark have on seeing, the difference between the natural obvious and the artificial obvious and the growth and change of perspective from childhood to adult hood to describe her perspective on seeing. Dillard goes in to depth on describing the way the mind perceives things the eyes see. It is not certain that the things viewed are perceived the right way, because there is no correct or incorrect way to view something.
But there is another kind of seeing that involves a letting go. When I see this way I sway transfixed and emptied. The difference between the two ways of seeing is …show more content…
“Even the simple darkness of night whispers suggestions to the mind.” (116) Many people say in order for something to be credible, it has to be seen. But if seeing is taken out of the picture, other senses have to be relied on to become aware of what is going on. Without being able to see, it is easy for imagination to take control and fill in what the eyes would take credit for. Annie Dillard goes into depth on the theme of darkness and light when she writes “After thousands of years we’re still strangers to darkness, fearful aliens in an enemy camp with our arms crossed over our chests.” (117) She means that people still don’t comprehend darkness, darkness is frightening because the unknown is frightening. By saying fearful alien in an enemy camp, the author refers to the way people react to darkness, feeling threatened and overwhelmed by the
GEW 101-25878
Dr. Walter Dutton
25 March 2013
Perspective
Annie Dillard wrote the essay “Seeing”, which is about the ability to change your perspective on the world around you. Throughout her essay, the author refers to objects such as blades of grass and the universe to demonstrate to her readers that many things are sometimes forgotten or not thoroughly thought about. The author uses themes such as the effect light and dark have on seeing, the difference between the natural obvious and the artificial obvious and the growth and change of perspective from childhood to adult hood to describe her perspective on seeing. Dillard goes in to depth on describing the way the mind perceives things the eyes see. It is not certain that the things viewed are perceived the right way, because there is no correct or incorrect way to view something.
But there is another kind of seeing that involves a letting go. When I see this way I sway transfixed and emptied. The difference between the two ways of seeing is …show more content…
“Even the simple darkness of night whispers suggestions to the mind.” (116) Many people say in order for something to be credible, it has to be seen. But if seeing is taken out of the picture, other senses have to be relied on to become aware of what is going on. Without being able to see, it is easy for imagination to take control and fill in what the eyes would take credit for. Annie Dillard goes into depth on the theme of darkness and light when she writes “After thousands of years we’re still strangers to darkness, fearful aliens in an enemy camp with our arms crossed over our chests.” (117) She means that people still don’t comprehend darkness, darkness is frightening because the unknown is frightening. By saying fearful alien in an enemy camp, the author refers to the way people react to darkness, feeling threatened and overwhelmed by the