Franklin, Malcolm, and Rose - they came from different eras, different family situations, and are themselves very different people. What quality or experience could they possibly share? Well…a moment. The life-changing moment that occurred at some point in each of their lives that planted the idea in their heads that they had the ability to be better. That they had the strength within them to learn and to grow and to really be something. Franklin and Rose both had discouraging upbringings, Rose disheartened by his teachers, Franklin by his own family. Rose had his “moment of realization” at a younger age, while Malcolm had his as a ripened adult. Furthermore, Rose endured traditional schooling, while Malcolm had a self-taught store of knowledge, and Franklin had a mix of the two.
These three men are all descriptive, captivating writers, unafraid of speaking the truth. I appreciate Malcolm’s honesty, his eagerness to admit that he was once nearly illiterate, which heightens his appreciation for the knowledge he acquired later on. Benjamin gave a little bit of his life story – he didn’t just share the moment with us, he gave all of the background information leading up to it. Yet Rose is perhaps my favorite of the three; his descriptions are not only rich in vocabulary, but relatable. There is certainly something to be learned from the works of these men.
Great observations and distinctions on the three writers and their essays!
ReplyDelete