Unbearable Lightness Theme

The Influence of Others: Author’s Craft Often times in life, people are blinded by their own perceptions, unable to recognize the emotions of those around them. This theme is exhibited within the memoir Unbearable Lightness, written by Portia De Rossi. The author delineates the struggles present within her life as a result of her eating disorder. But despite her tribulation, throughout the majority of the text, Rossi is unable to acknowledge the fact that her habits are threatening to both her mental and physical health. However, her mother, empowered by her love and concern towards her daughter, recognizes Rossi’s crippling well-being, bringing forth a new perspective into her life. In regards to this, Portia De Rossi incorporates the element of characterization, specifically thoughts and the effect on others, to portray the theme of it may take an alternative standpoint to shed light on the truth that has since been hidden beneath one’s personal perception. To begin, Rossi’s mother’s ability to identify the unhealthy nature of her daughter’s condition exemplifies the true seriousness of her eating disorder. The mother provided a second opinion when she “pulled away from [a] hug and looked [Rossi] up and down. ‘You’re too thin!’” (Rossi 197). During their exchange the mother is able to conclude that her daughter is much
This concept is exhibited within the memoir Unbearable Lightness, written by Portia De Rossi, as it depicts the perpetual struggles affiliated with eating disorders. In addition to this, the artwork below portrays a similar message, through the use of symbolism, in regards to intrusive thoughts. With this in mind, both the memoir and the artwork delineate, through the utilization of symbolism, the ability of an eating disorder to define one’s