was unable to go to such events since she was exhausted of the same monotonous
communications and the same faces. She refuted her own point of view, and provided evidence
for her change of mind: that she was growing up (p. 6). Once again, there is no factual evidence
that supports her argument and that makes the reader feel unsure of the factual actuality of the
essay. However, her honest writing evokes sympathy and understanding, and the fact that the
writing is so personal makes the reader believe the author, despite the lack of researched
evidence. Due to the particular style of writing, the author has achieved to evoke both sympathy
and support in the readers.
Joan Didion’s essay in the form of a diary is a successful piece of writing and readers will
undoubtedly appreciate the utter honesty that makes up the essay. The essay was written to
unveil the myriad flaws that New York possesses, while also focusing on the good parts of the
charming state. The essay completely lacked any factual evidence that would have supported the
author’s claims, because it was a representation of one person’s experience and, as a result, it
was unquestionably biased. However, because of the honesty and the straightforward style of
writing, it was still a treat to read for the readers. Didion effectively got her points across, and the
individual experiences that she shared made the readers see that there are flaws in every place,
even if that place is considered the state where dreams come true.
Works Cited
Didion, J. (1968). Slouching towards Bethlehem. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
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