"Table of Figures" is a third person narrative that takes snapshots of a womans life from childhood to her mid 40's. It is written as though the reader is looking through a candid photo album. This is an interesting way to present a narrative. It has the feel of diary entries, which gives the reader the sense that he/she is looking at the characters most secretive and sensitive moments, while at the same time poses the content in a third-person point of view which leaves the reader to decide the motivations and meanings behind what is written, what the character does and how it is presented. This is an even more effective way at illustrating the emotions of the character than describing such emotions. When the feelings of the character are given, they are presented through the context of the reader's personal experiences (sad means different things to all people). Presented in the way Brenda Miller presents it, the reader is forced to place themselves in the situation and decide the correct feeling. This allows the author to control the reader emotionally, while allowing the reader to find the appropriate emotion for the scene.
This is a short piece, but spans a story of 40-some odd years. This would usually lead the reader to a place of indifference when it comes to the characters representation. However, the author uses situations in the characters life that the audience can relate to. This cuts out the need for long explanations as most readers will be able to find the back-story withing their own personal history. Again, this is extremely effective.
Brenda Miller uses imagery in order to tell a story. She tells the reader what to see, and gives some side-notes as to the action and why the character is behaving in such a way. This seems fitting due to the story's obsession with looks. The theme fits well into the style of writing and provides the reader with the knowledge they need to find the correct point to the story.
D. Ryan
I actually didn't enjoy this piece, something I can attribute to the same thing that distanced me from my first forays into poetry: form.
ReplyDeleteWhile I could enjoy Bascom's "Community College," Miller's piece threw me off. It seemed to go further away from forms of prose that we are accustomed to than I could maintain comfort. Yes, I can appreciate the piece because the writer proves her competence. However, her form would have been easier to digest had it been accompanied by visual representations; likewise, the narrative would have been just as easy to discuss had the writer not stepped so far from traditional pieces.
Despite my hesitation at the form, I agree with you Derek, she purposefully picks this form so that we are made to imagine these scenes instead of her describing the scenes every detail, akin to traditional prose.
~Nitesh Arora