Reading and Writing Without Authority presents us with two people who both tackle writing, from different angles. The younger writer Janet, writes from an analytical perspective; simply regurgitating the point of view of the author they’re writing about. While the older writer Robert writes in a more argumentative way; challenging the author’s claims with his perspective. Overall I identify with both Janet and Robert on some level, however, this greatly depends on the situation. In my interaction with my fiance, I tend to lean more towards Roberts’s approach. This is because I tend to dispute her nutritional choices and push her to eat healthy (ironic considering I’m not known for making the healthiest choices for my body either). However, in my writing, I identify with Janet, as I am a lot more hesitant to speak from a position of authority since I don’t feel like I AM in a position of authority.
Identity, authority, and learning to write in new workplaces were somewhat difficult to understand as I didn’t feel like I identified with or knew anyone in Alan’s position. But then I started to look at writing as just another form of communication and my connection to Alan manifested. Alan’s problem is that he doesn’t write in a way that is accepted in his workplace, and feels that he is not a member of his community. It’s a plight that resembles how I interact with my family.
For context, I was diagnosed with ADHD at an early age. A claim that has been disputed so much to the point where I don’t know if I have it or if I don’t. But one thing is for sure, I’m wired differently from most people that I know. I find it difficult to interact with and connect with people which not only creates challenges in making new friends but also affects the way that I interact with family members. I tend to keep to myself, rarely speak, and seldom express emotion comfortably on my face. This leads to a lot of assumptions about me having a “bad attitude”, when in reality it’s nothing personal; I just like being reserved, it makes me feel comfortable. And so, reading about Alan as he struggles to find his footing in the workplace felt all too familiar, even if I couldn’t relate it to my writing.
Leave a Reply