“The Beautiful Places”
Of all the passages we have read thus far, this one made the least sense to me. First of all, I had trouble hearing the author’s voice; it’s like Norris was speaking softly despite the roar of a tornado’s wind. I feel like there was a lot of ‘extra’ writing, which further obscured her thesis. The tone of this essay was not lively, it more so was one of bland existence. Also, I did not understand what exactly all this talk of monks was about. I did not at all see the connection, other than she felt spiritually uplifted by the Dakotas. Monks are generally assumed to be spiritual people. Strange connection, I think. Clearly I missed a few things. Norris certainly gives an account of a beautiful landscape, but I am left feeling confused.
This piece of writing did not seem to be strictly of any particular genre. At first glance it is a sort of biography. Norris does tell a story of her experience moving to and living in the Dakotas. There are numerous “I” and “me” statements. She recalls her feelings at different points of her life. Then, a few paragraphs in, the essay loses is chronology. It becomes an expository piece on the nature and culture of the white Dakota settlers, and where she fits in. Not that there is anything wrong with switching genres, but I don’t think it flowed very well.
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