Claire Lenore Smithers
Joseph Cooper
CRWR 212
May 7th, 2014
Analysis of Book
of Jon
In this novel entitled Book of Jon written by
Eleni Sikelianos, the author uses several different formats that embody the
essence of her drug addicted father. The author uses formats such as poetry,
proses, letters, snippets of memories, and photographs. One way in which the author tells the
mesmerizingly morbid story of her father’s heroine-filled life is by using very
effective diction which creates an exciting yet dark tone. My
personal favorite line is on page 15 which writes, “A bird of my tongue, and a
beast of yours, the body of your discourse is discarded in fragments,” which is
an example of the author’s beautiful word choice that sets the tone of
contrasting images of light, dark, and shows fragmentation.
Another
way in which the author expresses the idea of representing her father in
different lights is by using a unique form of stanzas and line break.
Seen throughout her poems, the author uses enjambment frequently,
breaking off lines between sentences and thoughts. This break causes a dramatic
pause between certain words or phrases, drawing specific attention to these
ideas, and adds to the drama of the piece. Some of the pieces are allegorical,
which the author uses to show ideas and her relationship with her father. The
combination of all of the forms of writing show the author’s confused and mixed
relationship with her father. The snippets of her life expressed through this
style of writing is similar to a photo album, similar to The Pink
Institution in which the writing style was changed to emphasize a photo
album-like effect. Another way in which this style helps convey a certain tone
and message to the readers is by writing in such a clattered way in order to
intensify the feeling of being inside the mind of an addict.
The author also
uses figurative language to create beautiful images and express ideas of the
hardships her father faces through addiction and homelessness. This book is a
roller coaster of high moments of joy to low moments of depression and anger.
Following the story of the author’s father through the author’s figurative
language is extremely powerful. The author consistently contrasts these moments
of highs and lows, perfectly outlining this tragic story of one man’s struggle.
Works Cited
Sikélianòs, Eleni. The
Book of Jon. San Francisco: City Lights, 2004. Print.
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