Assignment 1

Short Writing Assignment 1
Topic Proposal:
1. The text I have chosen is Paul Brown’s short story, “Swinging”
2. The text’s main point and central argument is that life is full of struggles a person must face, in order to find their true self. The text advises that one must not use their past as an escape route to protect them self from their uncertainties, however they must let go of their past and move on with an open mind in order to find themselves, because in their own found world, is where lifelong happiness exists.
3. The passage I have chosen to mainly focus in is the last paragraph of the story. The last paragraph is very significant to the meaning of the entire story and concludes with Steve’s realization of his self, life, as well as Brown’s story.
4. Within the passage I chose, the author uses various literary devices to demonstrate a deeper meaning for the reader. Brown uses the rope as symbol of the past as well as the diction for the action of rope swinging to represent the constant back and fourth motion (swing) of Steve’s thoughts on his past and future. The Rope swinging also represents the “ride” or in other words the journey that life takes us on. Brown uses powerful words to represent his feeling of panic about his life when describing Steve’s experience on the rope swing. Brown also uses color imagery such as darkness, to symbolize Steve’s confusion and what is potentially unknown.
5. My passage’s distinct rhythm of Steve’s turn on the rope swing describes his adrenaline pumping ride on the rope and how Brown dramatizes it using strong diction. It’s known that a swinging motion starts off fast, and then slows to a stop. This is similar to how Brown begins the passage with intense, unpleasant imagery such as “thundering heart” to describe the negative emotion Steve feels because of his parent’s divorce. Brown’s rhythm continues to a slower state of swinging, not fully angry yet Steve doesn’t feel full closure, Brown adds, “gravity and rope tug at him”, this quote relates to Steve’s reaction, feeling confused and hesitant toward who he now considers himself as, based on believing his parents were happy throughout his childhood, and now after the news of their divorce isn’t fully surprised of their decision. Towards the end of the passage the rhythm slows even more where Steve feels “weightless” representing Steve coming to terms with the reality of his parent’s divorce and understanding he still has the ability to achieve happiness.
6. The literary devices present in Brown’s passage are used to express deeper meaning of the text in order for the reader to gain better knowledge of Steve’s emotional situation. The text also provides a hidden meaning towards Steve’s thoughts, where he feels lost and confused, where Brown uses the literary devices engage the reader, forcing them to be active in interpreting the true meaning of preventing one’s past from discovering them self.

Thesis:
Brown uses a variety of literary devices to argue the issue that when one is faced with life’s barriers, it is essential for them to overcome those challenges in order to discover their true self and achieve lifelong happiness.