The play “God's Middle Name”, by Jennifer Overton, features a quick-paced series of vignettes that unflinchingly investigate a mother's experiences living with an autistic son, as she comes to understand the condition and shifts from denial to acceptance. It recounts the true story of Jennifer's family over a span of 10 years, moving from confusion to a life-changing diagnosis, through phases of refusal, resentment, sorrow, dealing and, eventually, acceptance. Through rambling scenes and dramatic flights of fancy, Overton takes a genuine look at the difficulties of having an autistic son. Nonetheless, she also praises the delights of parenthood and pride in a child's achievements. While Overton writes mainly from the perspective of a mother’s love for her child, humor also plays an important role within the play. Much of this humor arises from the unique way in which Nic, the autistic son, sees the world, as well as how Jennifer deals with Nic.
In communicating with the reader, Overton uses literary devices such as metaphors in order to capture what she experienced in an informative but still engaging way: “I found …show more content…
As Jennifer Overton said: “There are some things that we, as parents of an autistic son, will not have to worry about. For instance, him drinking or taking drugs” (Jennifer Overton). In a way, she tries to convey that autism is not just about the challenges in dealing with and understanding Nic, but also about innocence. Moreover, Nic’s literalizing approach to metaphors give rise to several unique images and notions in “God’s Middle Name,” demonstrating the role of metaphors and their influence in human meditation and communication. In conclusion, Overton makes good use of metaphor in the title, as well as some unique situations that arise from her son’s unique perspective, in order to succinctly communicate her experience raising an autistic
In communicating with the reader, Overton uses literary devices such as metaphors in order to capture what she experienced in an informative but still engaging way: “I found …show more content…
As Jennifer Overton said: “There are some things that we, as parents of an autistic son, will not have to worry about. For instance, him drinking or taking drugs” (Jennifer Overton). In a way, she tries to convey that autism is not just about the challenges in dealing with and understanding Nic, but also about innocence. Moreover, Nic’s literalizing approach to metaphors give rise to several unique images and notions in “God’s Middle Name,” demonstrating the role of metaphors and their influence in human meditation and communication. In conclusion, Overton makes good use of metaphor in the title, as well as some unique situations that arise from her son’s unique perspective, in order to succinctly communicate her experience raising an autistic