Brooks - A Home In Fiction

Question 1

Thesis:
Representation of creativity and imagination as central to the human experience compels audience to reevaluate the importance of writing to make us rethink our positions on timeless human concerns

Answer 1

Construction
Boyer lecture seamlessly weaves in intertextual references and extended metaphor of home in fiction to establish rapport with her audience to communicate her quest to give life to stories from the past and promote reading as a vehicle to explore and reassess our positions on social issues

Question 2

Striking extended metaphor

I know now it is a beautiful world… if she has lungs. I have gills.

Answer 2

Story telling is central to human experience in exordium

Reinforces richness of language and how it pushes her to uncover the full truths of the world

Question 3

Allusion to Thoreau

I aspire to build that bridge to the moon.. I am after nothing less than eternal truths

Answer 3

Develops idea that humans are intrinsically creative

Highlights regardless of time the question of who we are and where we go in life remains

Question 4

Reflective analogy in poignant conclusion

“I make my home in literature”

Answer 4

Returns to the immediacy of issue of under appreciation of fiction and it’s importance to human experience

Personal note affirms title and reinforces its relevance to contemporary society that supreme importance of fiction connects author and chacracter

Question 5

Representation of empathy and compassion for situations of others if fundamental to speakers vision of the world as it inspires audiences to work towards change for a progression and equal society thus ensuring test of time

Answer 5

Through a fascinating series of personal anecdotes, she establishes a sense of confidentiality with her literary audience by revealing her life story to convey the power and value of fiction in reinforcing the commonality of our existence and developing empathy for individuals in uniust situations

Question 6

Potent anecdote in exordium

I could imagine… what it was to see with her eyes, to feel with her heart”

Answer 6

Portrays empathic nature of humans and how imaginative mind transcends time and place to enter the lives of others to develop an open mindset

Question 7

Poignant use of first person

I try to use the experienced that I have, to make the suffering I witnessed count for something

Answer 7

Further develops humans as compassionate beings

Compels audience over time and place resolve injustices and suffering in the world where a shared purpose for humanity to care for one another is reinforced

Question 8

Ends in potent apology

You can move the furniture as much as you like… the emotions of people will not change

Answer 8

Message of need to build a progressive society and end human suffering is more striking than ever as she amplifies the commonality of our memories, experiences and emotions