A Writer is Born Blog Entry Two

In the short story “How to Become a Writer” by Lorrie Moore we are introduced to a young girl by the name of Francie, who by chance and certain circumstances discovers her true passion for writing. Throughout the short story it is clear that the author Lorrie Moore is writing about herself, and all the struggles, criticism and career choices she contemplated on, before finally realizing that writing was a skill she possessed and enjoyed doing. The tension that is created in the story is between Francie, the narrator, and all the people she encountered throughout her life who criticized her choice of becoming a writer. The story would not have been as effective and successful had the author used a different point of view. By using the second point of view, the author is able to engage the reader and have them believe that Francie is speaking about them and the steps that they should take if they want to become a writer.

  

    Francie encounters countless times of tension throughout the story. The tension is between her mother, classmates, and professors. For the most they all try to discourage her from the dreams she has to become a writer. Her classmates, mother and professors all try to discourage Francie from the dream she has to become a writer, “You have to think about what is happening. Where is the story here?” (Moore), or “Francie, Francie, remember when you were going to be a child psychology major?” (Moore)  Throughout all this turmoil and conflict Francie refuses to give up on her dream.

   Throughout the story the point of view that is used, makes the reader believe that they are being spoken directly to by the narrator. With phrases like, “Decide that you like college life,”(Moore) or “You will continue, unfortunately, to view the world in exactly these terms for the rest of your life.” (Moore). Slowly throughout the story it becomes evident that the narrator is not speaking to the reader, but she is telling her personal life story in a humorous tone. She tells her story to the reader in a sarcastic manner, making fun of the idea that a person would actually believe there are steps taken, in order to become a writer. The title of the story “How to Become a Writer”, makes fun of the very thought that a writer can be made, the narrator is actually trying to insinuate that a great writer is born and not made.  

   In conclusion, a different point of view would have changed the story dramatically. A different point of view would have been impersonal, and would not have connected the narrators own struggles with similar hardships that the reader may have encountered throughout their own personal life.