Just Kids: Classical Structure, Atypical Story
Nicole Petta
Advanced English IV
7 May, 2012
Classical Structure; Atypical Story Just Kids, by Patti Smith, is the true story of Robert Mapplethorpe and Patti Smith’s growth together as artists and friends. Patti Smith uses the classical structure of a short story to organize her memoir. Because of this predictable organization, she leads her reader to expect a traditional coming-of-age story. However, Smith’s choice of detail and character development often leaves readers feeling shocked or rattled. Her approach juxtaposes traditional story-telling techniques with bizarre plot points, and the result is an uneven piece of writing. At the beginning of the rising action, Smith uses the classical structure to entice the reader and make the reader feel comfortable. The reader thinks the book is easy to follow and well organized. She gains the readers trust, so to speak. The introductory line on page 4 saying, “I was born on a Monday, in the North Side of Chicago during the Great Blizzard of 1946” is very organized and precise. It gives us a date, location, and event. There is nothing unusual, but it is a pleasant introduction to her story. As she grows, she moves to New York City, where she meets young Robert Mapplethorpe. The novel continues as Smith and Mapplethorpe are becoming closer and are discovering more about themselves. They admit to have fallen in love. Later on, though, as the plot develops, she shocks us by Robert suddenly voicing his homosexual tendencies. During this time she has departed from the classical, short story structure. On page 74 Mapplethorpe threatens Smith, “‘If you don’t come [to California], I’ll be with a guy. I’ll turn homosexual.’” The line is dropped out of the blue and leaves the reader doing a double take. To add on to that, after Mapplethorpe discusses his gay “sex-capades” in California, Smith still decides to sleep with him upon his return. The ambivalence that Smith may feel is caused by Mapplethorpe’s
Advanced English IV
7 May, 2012
Classical Structure; Atypical Story Just Kids, by Patti Smith, is the true story of Robert Mapplethorpe and Patti Smith’s growth together as artists and friends. Patti Smith uses the classical structure of a short story to organize her memoir. Because of this predictable organization, she leads her reader to expect a traditional coming-of-age story. However, Smith’s choice of detail and character development often leaves readers feeling shocked or rattled. Her approach juxtaposes traditional story-telling techniques with bizarre plot points, and the result is an uneven piece of writing. At the beginning of the rising action, Smith uses the classical structure to entice the reader and make the reader feel comfortable. The reader thinks the book is easy to follow and well organized. She gains the readers trust, so to speak. The introductory line on page 4 saying, “I was born on a Monday, in the North Side of Chicago during the Great Blizzard of 1946” is very organized and precise. It gives us a date, location, and event. There is nothing unusual, but it is a pleasant introduction to her story. As she grows, she moves to New York City, where she meets young Robert Mapplethorpe. The novel continues as Smith and Mapplethorpe are becoming closer and are discovering more about themselves. They admit to have fallen in love. Later on, though, as the plot develops, she shocks us by Robert suddenly voicing his homosexual tendencies. During this time she has departed from the classical, short story structure. On page 74 Mapplethorpe threatens Smith, “‘If you don’t come [to California], I’ll be with a guy. I’ll turn homosexual.’” The line is dropped out of the blue and leaves the reader doing a double take. To add on to that, after Mapplethorpe discusses his gay “sex-capades” in California, Smith still decides to sleep with him upon his return. The ambivalence that Smith may feel is caused by Mapplethorpe’s