Dr. Greene
English 1101
18 September 2017
In this personal memoir, "Context" (1994), Dorothy Allison describes her fear she has of what her lover will think when she will show her to her family and where she's from. Allison explains this fear by using imagery, along with comparisons to express her views about judging a person. Allison uses imagery and comparison in order to visually deliver the message, that context is small yet so vital especially when it comes to a perspective about a person or their social background. Allison's wrote her memoir to an audience who might not fully understand the word context, so she shares with us her personal experience and views about context and background.
This story made me feel nostalgic. I remembered a time when I first met my significant others family members their customs were far from different from my own family. The interaction gave me clarity on who I was dating and her background. With that being said the experience helped me relate to Allison's memoir quite well. I agreed with the feeling of anticipation when her lover was going to meet her family.
The word context, according to dictionary.com, could be defined as " the parts of a written or spoken statement that precede or follow a specific word or passage, usually influencing its meaning or effect". Through flashbacks and comparison, Allison shows us her fear of judgment from her lover to support the idea that context can cause people to think differently of another and make wrong assumptions which is why it’s so vital. Like in the text when her lover said, " I thought I knew what it would be like- your family, Greenville”. (Allison 115). Here the interpretation is that the lover thought her family would be like Allison but they’re not. Another example of that would be when the lover says," I thought I understood what you meant when you said working class' but I just didn't have a context”. (Allison 115). The lover thought of this was a little different which is why she stated she didn't have a context. Allison experience not only helped her, but it encourages her to write and share with others who might not know what context is and how it plays a role in an individual. That's why she states,” context is so little to share and so vital”. ( Allison 117).
Works Cited
Allison, Dorothy. "Context." Connections: Guide to First Year Writing
at Clayton State University. Ed. Mary Lamb 4th Edition South Lake 2014
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