After her personal account, Didion dives into a detailed message that includes comparison and imagery that really engages those that read it. An example states, “Most of our platitudes notwithstanding, self-deception remains the most difficult deception. The charms that work on others count for nothing in that devastatingly well-lit back alley where one keeps assignations with oneself: no winning smiles will do here, no prettily drawn list of good intentions.” This meaning of this quote by Didion is that the self-approval of others does not matter as others are easily deceived – easily judging books by their covers – and people who have courage and great self-respect have a greater ability on not worrying about it. That paragraph in that part of the article has imagery, as shown in the quote excerpt.
