Mod C (19/20: 11/12 for discursive and 8/8 for reflection)
Literature: Weaving a tapestry of Memories
If there’s one thing that gives me joy, it’s exploring. Not out in the wild, but rather the endless
pursuit of knowledge that literature offers. Now that I turned 18, it finally hit me. I was leaving
my whole life behind, embarking on a journey worldwide as I pursued an education
stimulated by reading powerful stories. As I pulled out every book off my shelf, I began to
reflect on the memories from each tale, finally seeing the true impact each story had on my
life.
While excited to open this new chapter of my life, I still felt disjointed. I would be leaving
behind a rich tapestry of memories woven in my room with every book I’ve read, each story
intertwining to form a singular intricate narrative. The narrative of my life. Whether it was
being inspired by countless superheroes, going on adventures or simply exploring new
worlds, the vibrant narratives provided me with a boundless curiosity to read for hours.
There was beauty in the simple activity of reading. It was somewhat comforting to know no
matter how hard my day was or whatever I’ve been through, I could find the time to sit down
and immerse myself in a new world by browsing through books. Whether it was a fantasy
land filled with wizards and witches, radiating a rich fabric of creativity or something as
simple as a short haiku, the powerful stories wove a yarn of memories, gently warming my
soul with all the emotions and artistry the composers put into them.
While I still had this rich tapestry of memories to carry, it left me empty, knowing I was
walking away from my childhood. But then again, what was my childhood? I spent countless
hours sitting alone, cramming stories into my head, turning myself into a giant amalgamation
of novels. I had wasted so much time trying to shape my personality off the characters I read
about rather than achieving something meaningful with my life. The more I thought about
this, the more disappointed I became, as the fabric of memories was bleached, culminating
into a repast full of regret. Regret that I wasted my childhood.
This brings me back to the age-old question - why do we read? As famed author C.S. Lewis
says, “Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary
competencies that daily life requires.” We don’t just read to pass the time, it is time we can
create memories that can inspire our choices, helping us become better people. Just as the
beauty of a tapestry lies in its intricate stitches, the beauty of literature lies in the boundless
creativity and knowledge woven into it. And it is this beauty that remains intertwined in the
stories we read.
Reflection
My discursive piece, Literature: Weaving a Tapestry of Memories, explores literature's
importance in our lives, especially in creating memories that define our persona. By
choosing the discursive form and writing through an anecdotal tone, I aim to explore the
internal struggle faced when we begin to question the importance literature plays in our lives,
reflecting on both its ability to overpower us and its role creating rich memories that
ultimately drive the decisions we make.
Gwen Harwood’s poem, ‘Father and Child’, undoubtedly served as a major source of
inspiration for my piece with her mastery of motifs and tone to explore themes of growth,
maturity, and how memories play a profound role in our life. By simulating Harwood’s use of
extended motifs, I contended in my piece how stories are quintessential in weaving
memories that can inspire our choices. Like Harwood’s motif of the birds as “symbols of
transience” to represent the inevitability of death, I crafted a motif of a tapestry to represent
the beauty of memories woven from stories. Through this, I effectively portray the
importance of literature as one concludes stories can create “memories that can inspire our
choices, helping us become better people.”
Additionally, I mimicked Harwood’s use of a first-person perspective to make my piece more
engaging and to develop a deep connection with audiences. This coupled with an anecdote
in “Now that I turned 18,” ignites the reader's curiosity as they begin to question the
challenges I’ll face with this universal experience, enticing them to continue reading to find
out.
Thus, my discursive piece successfully explores literature's power in creating memories that
ultimately inspire our choices, helping us become better people. Drawing from Harwood’s
‘Father and Child’ as a source of inspiration, I incorporated stylistic devices like an extended
motif and a first person tone with an underlying message of maturity and growth.