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McBride, The Color of Water: Reality literature

As both classmate Brenda and classmate Matt pointed out, McBride's work of nonfiction seems to lack the literary depth of most of the fictional works we've read this semester.

But on the other hand, I think it's impressive that McBride could take two real-life stories, blend them together into a wonderfully cohesive whole, and even manage to recognize and incorporate the symbolism naturally produced in those real-life situations he describes throughout his text..

Imagine examining your own life for symbolism, themes, allusions, etc. What do you think you would find?

As a writer, I actually do pay attention to such things in the course of my everyday life, though usually it's not a conscious, active interest; instead, I'll notice a peculiar coincidence or connection between two different things I've seen or heard or read or otherwise experienced. One good example that comes to mind right away: I remember one summer vacation a few years ago during which I was constantly thinking about someone, and I was certain it was no coincidence when I started to hear songs on the radio that described her perfectly or met random people on the street or in hotels who had her name. I've always been suspicious that these are more than just coincidences. Divine in nature, methinks, or perhaps inspired by pure human madness. I never really talk about such private thoughts much with others, so I can't be entirely sure that I wasn't just imagining it all out of some odd longing.

Perhaps one day I'll write the story of my own life, or someone I know well, as McBride did. Not sure I'd have the courage to write something so long and so deeply personal, though. Writing about real people can sometimes lead to a lot of real problems if one isn't careful, as I've learned in my journalism and fiction writing courses (fictional characters are practically always--if not always--inspired in some way by real people). I suppose my confidence will grow as my professional writing skills develop further.

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Comments

It's definitely a nice change to actually read a piece of real literature in a memoir, because we can actually make a REAL relation to the character, because they actually lived on this earth. I really don't think I could be able to produce a memoir without breaking down. I barely got through reading my memoir in class, and I don't think I could have them publish my life, or my family all across the country.

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