Question

Refer to Explorations in Literature for a complete version of the narrative. Part A What is one of the themes in Joan Didion’s “Goodbye to All That”? Growing up and accepting the realities of life can have painful repercussions. It is foolish to expect a place that is not home to ever feel like home. One gains a better understanding of a place by visiting it rather than by living in it. As one gains greater responsibility, happiness is harder to find. Part B What does Didion do in the essay to allow the theme in Part A to emerge and develop? Didion describes how the fact that she had very little money prevented her from enjoying all that New York had to offer. Didion contrasts how happy she was when she first lived in New York with the depression that hit her as the “magic” of the city wore off. Didion names all of the places in New York—Grand Central Station, Times Square, the New York Public Library—that comforted her when she lived there. Didion recalls the way she was happier when the writing she did was published under a pen name rather than under her own name.

Answer 1

Growing up and accepting the realities of life can have painful repercussions. And Didion contrasts how happy she was when she first lived in New York with the depression that hit her as the "magic" of the city wore off.

Answer 2

Answer:

• Growing up and accepting the realities of life can have painful repercussions.
• Didion contrasts how happy she was when she first lived in New York with the depression that hit her as the "magic" of the city wore off.

Joan Didion is an American journalist and novelist. She is particularly well-known for dealing with the topics of social fragmentation and individualism. In the essay "Goodbye to All That," Didion reflects on her experience living in New York. She remembers how the city appeared to her, and how her perspective changed as she got older and more used to the city.