The state of being alone is how we enter and leave this world. Barbara Lazear Ascher, a columnist for the New York Times, explains the independent life of the Box Man to show a correlation between women, loneliness, and independence. The homeless lifestyle of the Box Man may seem miserable to society, but to him living in isolation breeds contentment. This contentment sets a precedent for the rest of society to mimic. By using rhetorical strategies, Ascher contrasts descriptions of three characters to express her view on solitude. Ascher ultimately sends a message to women living in the 1970s that rather than living a life of dependency, they should embrace loneliness and recognize that by choosing voluntary solitude, it will “lose its sting.”
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Both juxtapose each other but share the commonality of shared freedom. The Boxcar Children live in an abandoned boxcar with only happiness and the “adult-less pursuit of joy.” (para. 8). Words used with positive connotations such as “happy”, “bubbling”, and “never worried” (para. 8) establish a nonchalant tone. A cloud of nostalgia is created where the audience reminisces a carefree childhood. An oblique counterpoint is addressed when it the Box Man’s life would appear to be a life of misery but is refuted by saying it is chosen. Then once again, Ascher makes her point clear and direct through the use of syntax. Sentence fragments beginning with the word “to” (para. 9) create fluidity and a laid-back mood. A loose sentence structure is parallel to the loose life of The Boxcar Children. After the allusion to The Boxcar Children, Ascher changes to perspectives to the lifestyle of Henry David Thoreau. A rhetorical question compares the Box Man to Thoreau in his doorway “...not crowded or confined in the least, with pasture enough for... imagination.” (para. 10) Freedom has been achieved to its highest potential by both The Box Man and The Boxcar Children which looks more appealing to the audience. Each allusion shows that happiness can be sustained, regardless of what is lacking in their lives. This example is set for what women should aspire …show more content…
Ascher provides two examples of women who contrast the life which the Box Man lives. The first woman goes to her local coffee shop every evening with “vacancy of expression” (para. 13). resting on her face. Words such as “drag,” “dry,” and “no memories” (para. 13) all contribute to a heavy tone. When she opens her wallet “no photographs spill onto her lap” (para. 13) demonstrating her true state of loneliness. Ascher then includes a series of rhetorical questions to paint a picture for how lonely a person can truly be. Reading these rhetorical questions show that the basic human needs are what the woman is missing from her life. The second woman has many material items that do not contribute to the state of her happiness. Because Ascher includes the fact that she has six cats, “some Siamese, others Angora and Abyssinian” (para. 16) it shows that her loneliness still lingers at three in the morning and she remains unhappy. Using the many plants and animals through her portrayal makes her life seem long and dull. In comparison, the Box Man has chosen to be lonely and therefore is happier. The audience can relate and understand what these women are going through from the New York City environment. Loneliness can be a never-ending cycle of misery, but it can also be pure
Both juxtapose each other but share the commonality of shared freedom. The Boxcar Children live in an abandoned boxcar with only happiness and the “adult-less pursuit of joy.” (para. 8). Words used with positive connotations such as “happy”, “bubbling”, and “never worried” (para. 8) establish a nonchalant tone. A cloud of nostalgia is created where the audience reminisces a carefree childhood. An oblique counterpoint is addressed when it the Box Man’s life would appear to be a life of misery but is refuted by saying it is chosen. Then once again, Ascher makes her point clear and direct through the use of syntax. Sentence fragments beginning with the word “to” (para. 9) create fluidity and a laid-back mood. A loose sentence structure is parallel to the loose life of The Boxcar Children. After the allusion to The Boxcar Children, Ascher changes to perspectives to the lifestyle of Henry David Thoreau. A rhetorical question compares the Box Man to Thoreau in his doorway “...not crowded or confined in the least, with pasture enough for... imagination.” (para. 10) Freedom has been achieved to its highest potential by both The Box Man and The Boxcar Children which looks more appealing to the audience. Each allusion shows that happiness can be sustained, regardless of what is lacking in their lives. This example is set for what women should aspire …show more content…
Ascher provides two examples of women who contrast the life which the Box Man lives. The first woman goes to her local coffee shop every evening with “vacancy of expression” (para. 13). resting on her face. Words such as “drag,” “dry,” and “no memories” (para. 13) all contribute to a heavy tone. When she opens her wallet “no photographs spill onto her lap” (para. 13) demonstrating her true state of loneliness. Ascher then includes a series of rhetorical questions to paint a picture for how lonely a person can truly be. Reading these rhetorical questions show that the basic human needs are what the woman is missing from her life. The second woman has many material items that do not contribute to the state of her happiness. Because Ascher includes the fact that she has six cats, “some Siamese, others Angora and Abyssinian” (para. 16) it shows that her loneliness still lingers at three in the morning and she remains unhappy. Using the many plants and animals through her portrayal makes her life seem long and dull. In comparison, the Box Man has chosen to be lonely and therefore is happier. The audience can relate and understand what these women are going through from the New York City environment. Loneliness can be a never-ending cycle of misery, but it can also be pure