The Silent Spaces

Mimi Schwartz's essay is written about something that is has become and is a raw boil on the head of humanity. When an author chooses to write about this subject they are delving into a dark lake in a hidden cave in Alaska. It is a deeply emotional subject. I always prepare myself before reading Jewish Lit as if it will be a night of engorging myself in a room of Vienna deserts, endlessly.

On that being said, I think the way she chose to write in segments is a brilliant way to exemplify the metamorphosis she is going through in this essay. By breaking up the sections she is showing us the stages she goes through as she learns her lessons. In life we all go through stages of maturity as we develop and move towards death, and come closer to our own "truths". She is doing just this, in conjunction with her father, throughout the story.

A theme that is concurrent with the theme of identity, yet is a potent theme all it's own, is Mimi coming to terms with her heritage. In the first section Schwartz begins as a stereotypical American teenage girl who rebels against her stern old world Jewish father. Yet, as she visits her father's hometown she goes through a process of engulfing in her father's views and families history. As the essay progresses through each section she learns more about her family and their struggles. This gives Schwartz an understanding for her father which takes her need to rebel away.

Schwartz breaks up each section to illustrate specific points of view of the essay. This effect adds layering to the story as well as giving circumference to her themes. It also makes each section separate from the other, so if read alone illustrating the various points of view of the author and story. This gives the CNF piece more power and most be read carefully to be understood in such a way.

On reason Schwartz uses the gaps in between each section in a quiet stage of pause and remembrance. An extensive amount of this essay is about those past. I feel that the gaps are almost a pause to respect and think about what has happened, like the blank monument with no names in the cemetery. Another reason is to separate each section as distinctively different, like grave markers and mementos of time demonstrating what Mimi and her family are going through. Also, as mentioned above, it shows the different themes and perspectives so that when read distinctively the reader can see the different points of view.

In respect Mimi Schwartz piece is subtle yet direct in what it portrays. She uses many literary devices and is comparable to a piece of Literary fiction. In my humble opinion this, to me, would categorize a CNF, as well as enjoyable.