TOW #2 - "Literal Balance, Life Balance"

This article was found in The New York Times and is written by Adrienne Brodeur.

       In this essay, Brodeur describes her physical as well as mental balance as a person living with a brain tumor. She would have random episodes of times where she would fall because she lost her balance, and by the second time, she was very puzzled as to why this kept happening to her. Brodeur went to her doctor and had an MRI done, and found that she had a tumor "the size of a blueberry"in her brain. She appeals to metaphors so easily in her writing. When describing her life, she compared it to a juggling act, where her balls included "young children, elderly parents, and a busy job." By using this device to share her experience, the reader was able to clearly see what life was like for her after she found out about her condition. Also, a main focus in this article was the concept of balancing and comparing it to a juggling act really demonstrates her overall purpose. Brodeur wanted to share that it is actually possible to take care of everything in your life and still give it your full effort even when there is hardship in your life. She also does an amazing job with narration when speaking about when she found out about her tumor. When she was watching the doctor show her the MRI images, she says that her brain "blossomed like a flower in a child's flipbook as the doctor scrolled through the images." This narration creates imagery and allows the reader to picture the scene in their mind, which ultimately engages the reader as well. Along with multiple allusions, Brodeur is able to achieve her purpose. I think her audience would be those who are now living with a brain tumor. She is trying to motivate those people to not let the tumor interfere with their normal life.