I for Isobel (Reading and Responding) - Feedback appreciated!

[sweetiepi]

Prompt: 'I for Isobel suggests that identity is developed as much through words and stories as through experience.' Discuss.

Amy Witting’s short story, ‘I for Isobel’ follows the main protagonist, Isobel in five chapters, from childhood to early adulthood. This semi-autobiographical text is set in the 1950’s, where new-wave feminism and recovery from the Great Depression, 20 years earlier, as well as new-found liberalism is apparent. Witting chooses to base this novel into six key themes; identity, childhood experiences, loneliness, poverty, resilience and literature, with identity crossing over the other five themes. Development of a sense of self is built up upon in influential parts, by both trials and tribulations; as well as compositions of written works. Although both of these factors play a role in the development of identity, ultimately words are more influential in shaping it. Isobel’s identity is shaped by factors of experience, such as a hard childhood or poverty; as well as novels and influences of religion.

Demeaning experiences in Isobel’s childhood affect her quest for true self. Due to Isobel’s rough upbringing, she learns in “The Birthday present” that even though she knows her parents would refuse to give her a present, her “presentless morning” allows for her to not give up “hope”. Witting uses Isobel’s hope as a clear indication that she has grown up to be tough, allowing the readers to presume that Isobel has “hope”, which shapes how Isobel feels towards outlooks on life. Although Isobel thinks that her hope is wasted, another chance at freedom arrives when Isobel receives the brooch, which gives her the first chance at liberation, which also sign-posts that Isobel truly believes that she is at free-will, as an add-on effect, lasting into adulthood. Through Isobel’s eyes, her harsh upbringing isn’t also reliant on her days of never giving up; it is also apparent that she suffers from financial disadvantage in the adventure to find herself.

Understanding poverty-strickened life enables Isobel to find her inner peace. Due to her family having a lack of funds, Isobel knew from experience that “no present” would appear in front of her, on her birthday. Witting highlights this to readers that Isobel takes this experience, with great knowledge, although in the 1950s, economic growth was occurring. This is reflected upon by Isobel, where she is known to have barely any possessions, which lets the reader allude that she also has a lack of needing more. Aunt Noelene witnessed this in “Glassware and Other Breakable Items” where Isobel profoundly attempted to refuse Noelene’s “4 shillings” and a little left over for “fun”. This drive for the hope of not needing extravagance is shown throughout the book. However, although Isobel has little possessions of her own, she learns that she also has made her identity through literature.

Reading plays a role in Isobel’s quest for selfhood. Isobel finds herself constantly resorting to literature, to the point that she couldn’t “ever get bored” of reading, as she treats this as an escapism for herself. This escapism allows Isobel to slip out of her ‘external world’, filled with nasty happenings and allows her to focus on her ‘inner world’, as described in the first chapter, “The Birthday Present”, which is full of wonderful sub-worlds, which shapes her into who she truly is, in the end of the final chapter, “I for Isobel”, claiming that she is a “writer”. This self-identification allows for Isobel to go with one of the trends of the era, feminism, where she strives to be independent, and ‘hold-down’ a job, instead of relying on the males to do all the work. These extraneous worlds allow for Isobel’s life to be moulded internally by what she reads, however other words, also have spoken to her, such as religious sermons, have impacted Isobel’s sense of self.

An enormous insight into Isobel’s true form is through religion. Religion is a recurring theme for Isobel, where she experiences an epiphany, a “mortal sin” brings about an “eternal hellfire”. This briefly inspires Isobel to bring upon herself that if she isn’t in a state of grace, she’ll be taken to an unpleasant place, which is full of negative consequences. This discovery in “The Grace of God and the Hand-Me-Down” is utilised by Witting as a literary device, symbolises a sort of catalyst for change for Isobel, allowing her to seek a temporary truce. Although short-lived, Isobel realises that ‘playing saint’ allowed her to understand that religion is helpful in shaping who she is. Even though Isobel shuns away from the safety of Catholicism, Isobel finds that she comes ‘full-circle’ in her life, due to the words of religion she remembers when she steals a “book of saints” in the final chapter.

Experiencing life, as well as literary devices allows Isobel to find the key to her identity. This is exemplified through enduring through a rough childhood, as well as through literature and religion. Although trials and words are both predominant in shaping Isobel’s identity, it is ultimately Isobel’s thorough knowledge of books and religious texts that define who she is as a person.

[FallingStar]

Disclaimer: I have not read the text.

Prompt: 'I for Isobel suggests that identity is developed as much through words and stories as through experience.' Discuss.

Amy Witting’s short story, ‘I for Isobel’ follows the main protagonist, Isobel in five chapters, from childhood to early adulthood. This semi-autobiographical text is set in the 1950’s, where new-wave feminism and recovery from the Great Depression, 20 years earlier, as well as new-found liberalism is apparent. Witting chooses to base this novel into six key themes; identity, childhood experiences, loneliness, poverty, resilience and literature, with identity crossing over the other five themes.Try to talk just about identity, and not any of the other themes of the novel. JUst because it's a themes based essay, it doesn't mean that you have to talk about every theme involved. Development of a sense of self is built up upon in influential parts, by both trials and tribulations; as well as compositions of written works. Although both of these factors play a role in the development of identity, ultimately words are more influential in shaping it. Good, I like that. Isobel’s identity is shaped by factors of experience, such as a hard childhood or poverty; as well as novels and influences of religion.

Demeaning experiences in Isobel’s childhood affect her quest for true self. Due to Isobel’s rough upbringing, she learns in “The Birthday present” that even though she knows her parents would refuse to give her a present, her “presentless morning” allows for her to not give up “hope”. Witting uses Isobel’s hope as a clear indication that she has grown up to be tough, allowing the readers to presume that Isobel has “hope”, which shapes how Isobel feels towards outlooks on life. Although Isobel thinks that her hope is wasted, another chance at freedom arrives when Isobel receives the brooch, which gives her the first chance at liberation, which also sign-posts that Isobel truly believes that she is at free-will, as an add-on effect, lasting into adulthood. Through Isobel’s eyes, her harsh upbringing isn’t also reliant on her days of never giving up; it is also apparent that she suffers from financial disadvantage in the adventure to find herself. You need more ideas and examples in a paragraph. I have been told myself that you need three per paragraph.

Understanding poverty-strickened life enables Isobel to find her inner peace. Due to her family having a lack of funds, Isobel knew from experience that “no present” would appear in front of her, on her birthday. Witting highlights this to readers that Isobel takes this experience, with great knowledge, although in the 1950s, economic growth was occurring. This is reflected upon by Isobel, where she is known to have barely any possessions, which lets the reader allude that she also has a lack of needing more. Aunt Noelene witnessed this in “Glassware and Other Breakable Items” where Isobel profoundly attempted to refuse Noelene’s “4 shillings” and a little left over for “fun”. This drive for the hope of not needing extravagance is shown throughout the book. If it's shown throughout the book, then give more examples! At least that is what an examiner would think (I reckon...) However, although Isobel has little possessions of her own, she learns that she also has made her identity through literature.

Reading plays a role in Isobel’s quest for selfhood. Isobel finds herself constantly resorting to literature, to the point that she couldn’t “ever get bored” of reading, as she treats this as an escapism for herself. This escapism allows Isobel to slip out of her ‘external world’, filled with nasty happenings and allows her to focus on her ‘inner world’, as described in the first chapter, Use a full stop here. sentence getting way too long “The Birthday Present”, which is full of wonderful sub-worlds, which shapes her into who she truly is, in the end of the final chapter, “I for Isobel”, claiming that she is a “writer”. This self-identification allows for Isobel to go with one of the trends of the era, feminism, where she strives to be independent, and ‘hold-down’ a job, instead of relying on the males to do all the work. These extraneous worlds allow for Isobel’s life to be moulded internally by what she reads, however other words, also have spoken to her, such as religious sermons, have impacted Isobel’s sense of self.

An enormous insight into Isobel’s true form is through religion. Religion is a recurring theme for Isobel, where she experiences an epiphany, a “mortal sin” brings about an “eternal hellfire”. This briefly inspires Isobel to bring upon herself that if she isn’t in a state of grace, she’ll be taken to an unpleasant place, which is full of negative consequences. This discovery in “The Grace of God and the Hand-Me-Down” is utilised by Witting as a literary device, symbolises a sort of catalyst for change for Isobel, allowing her to seek a temporary truce. Although short-lived, Isobel realises that ‘playing saint’ allowed her to understand that religion is helpful in shaping who she is. What's the significance of that example? Even though Isobel shuns away from the safety of Catholicism, Isobel finds that she comes ‘full-circle’ in her life, due to the words of religion she remembers when she steals a “book of saints” in the final chapter.

Experiencing life, as well as literary devices allows Isobel to find the key to her identity. This is exemplified nice word you've used here through enduring through a rough childhood, as well as through literature and religion. Although trials and words are both predominant in shaping Isobel’s identity, it is ultimately Isobel’s thorough knowledge of books and religious texts that define who she is as a person.

Generally, you topic sentences are quite strong, and are very concise and succinct (which is something I generally lack in my writing, particularly in exam times). So are your linking sentences and you second sentence. However, you essay does lack examples since you only have one. Typically, I have been told to do three examples per paragraph, and use words such as furthermore, further, moreover to link your different examples together. You will also need a wide range of examples from the beginning, middle and the end of the text.

I can pick up that you are using the TEEL structure. This time, try TEEEEEEL (the elongated TEEL) as that could work for you. It's just TEEL with more examples and explanation. In the explanation, also talk about what it says about the characters or themes in the novel. As I said above, use words such as furthermore (or the like) to link different examples together. Use something like "This example demonstrates _______ , signifying [whatever the significance of the example is]. This would allow you to substantiate your arguments better. And conclude you paragraph with a sentence starting with "therefore" (or synonyms).

So you will need to know the text better to gain more relevant examples, even though your topic sentences and linking sentences are quite strong (and could possibly be strong than mine, being the hypocrite that marked your essay.