Question: What are the major themes of this piece? Are there any minor themes as well? Is there any kind of "subtext" in this essay? What kind of murmurs run below the surface?
Answer: A constant theme that I'm finding has a lot to do with the connectivity between everything and nature. In the beginning, Williams describes the rising and sinking water levels of The Great Salt Lake with such minute detail that it is almost as if I were sitting in a science lecture describing the effects of salt's process on the evaporation of water.
This all leads up to the main portion of the entry which deals much with a refuge just outside of Great Salt Lake. Williams is often fond of the birds that dwell here especially the Burrowing Owls, who live in mounds that give off the impression of fists aiming for the sky. Some minor themes include Williams' Mormon religion and how it influences her affinity to the wildlife. Another one explained is the constant struggle with breast cancer in her family and how she too is a survivor of the disease.
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I agree with you on how the theme has connectivity with everything especially nature. I like how you brought up the point on how Terry described the Great Salt Lake so vividly otherwise we would not have understood what she was seeing and how the evaporation of the water and inflow of water effects the levels of water.
ReplyDeleteThe burrowing owls are a major part of the story I like how you mentioned them and gave a description.
The minor themes are spot on and exactly what I put, I believe her religion shaped who she is.