The Stranger In The Photo Is Me Analysis

Donald M. Murray’s memoir, “The Stranger in the Photo Is Me,” ascertains the idea that life changes as we change. He explicitly enforces this idea by inundating his audience with his impactful usage of both antithesis and juxtapositions to express his belief of innocence versus experience. Murray narrows the idea of innocence versus experience by ultimately speaking on his positive self versus what has happened in the intervening years, and how once he became older, he became much more aware of what has happened. As Murray goes deeper into his argument, his use of antithesis and juxtapositions become clear during his shift from alluding to memories in his younger age to transforming into someone he never thought he would become, and ultimately referring to himself as a “stranger.” Murray’s utilization of juxtapositions began as he first informed his audience on how various snapshots from his childhood were a “moment from time.” This statement had the influence of making Murray’s audience feel as if Murray was very exuberant in reminiscing on his past interests. However, Murray then shifted to pronounce “the picture that haunts me,” causing Murray to linger on the photo taken before he was changed into a stranger. Murray describes this haunting picture using words like “ugly” and …show more content…
Murray has captured his audience and made them feel as if they should pay more attention to today, because you will never know what tomorrow has in store for you. Murray uses powerful language shows how he is looking at life through a completely different angle, with more respect and awareness for his surroundings. While reading the essay, Murray seems to be completely irritant with how he cannot go back into the past by saying “I still am a wearer of masks and costumes,” implying that Murray still does not have a grip onto who he really