mkssalopek

Here is a writing sample. Summary of “Under the Influence” Scott Russell Sanders describes his writing process as an attempt to place himself in relation to his experiences with his father’s alcoholism. He clearly states that he is “only trying to understand.” He writes this piece as an intersection of past events and his current thoughts. He explores power, blame, shame, fear, and his need to “fix” this situation. Told through his own adult viewpoint he uses childhood observations to clearly explain the growth of his sense of responsibility and about what it meant and still means to live with and love someone who abuses intoxicants. He juxtaposes his mother’s treatment of the situation and the common social conventions regarding alcoholism with his own role as “the stalwart and dutiful son” This creates a high level of tension and build-up of emotion throughout the piece. His ability to share the details of his feelings and experiences, how the good times accentuated the bad, and his desire to hurt people who aided in his father’s drunkenness make this an extremely emotional read. His heavy use of slang terms, jokes, and other parts of the “humorous lexicon” of alcoholism are very effective in adding to the punch of his father’s chaotic activities. He ties his past and present together with observations of his own son and how he is being shaped by events from the past and Sander’s own “workaholic” behavior. I feel this essay is honest and compelling, and definitely left me with a lurching feeling of uneasiness.