The Ill-Defined Plot Essay

“The task is not to say that Montaigne meant THIS and not THAT by Essais, but to understand that the above sketched polusemia of the work was precisely what he was up to with it, and indeed the reason he chose it, for if a book would be a true mirror, it must always reflect back in the direction from which it’s approached.” (Sullivan, John Jeremiah. The Best American Essays, The Ill-Defined Plot.) In the essay “The Ill-Defined Plot” John Jeremiah Sullivan, a noted essayist, describes the problems with defining the essay and concludes he can only arrive at a working definition. First, the essay’s definition is unclear because the definition of the word Essay or essai means to try, a stab, a trial by grain, and an experiment. These multiple definitions …show more content…
Montaigne used his writing as a way to tell readers of his different sides, or different personality traits. He was able to reflect himself into his writing in a way that his readers could learn about him in a deeper sense. In a way writing essays are a way for writers to tell their story to anyone who will read the words. Essays are the simplest form of expression. I can recall a time when I was struggling to find the right words and spoken language was not cutting it. It was amazing how much emotion shone through even though it was just words on paper. I was able to express what was on my mind without stuttering over myself, and I was able to use the adjective required to emphasis the passion behind my thoughts. I was able to get all of the emotions I was feeling out of my system and on to paper. Years later I found the essays I wrote in frustration, and I could recall immediately how I was feeling at that moment in time, my emotions were still in the pages. Essays were not just a way to express pain, or frustration; they were also a means of showing humor, and joy. Emotions that for some people are difficult to show through spoken