http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/11/21/111121fa_fact_theroux
In his essay "Heirlooms", Theroux describes the process of growing and eating a tomato as something spiritual, sensual, holy, not mundane. He achieves this effect by using vivid imagery and specific diction to evoke in the reader, the same feelings he has.
When Theroux describes a ripe tomato, it is not red and pleasantly soft, it is "deep hued and luscious on the inside, as crimson and soft as mouth flesh". As a tomato ripens, "the first blush appears on the fruit, and then the pinkish cheeks, reddening to ripeness" Not only is the imagery sharp and clear, but it has personality. The first description is sensuous and enticing, while the second uses alliteration and characterization to emotionally connect the reader to the tomato, as a gardener is to his plants.
The diction of this piece is unique, and specifically chosen to connect the reader and author's emotions. When Theroux describes a super market tomato as "and industrial tomato, the bright gassed, ripened in the truck ball of tasteless pith" the reader becomes repulsed, almost angry, just as the author is. It is perverse to compare something "industrial and gassed" to the a juicy pomodoro with a "fizz of crushed leaf, a scraped zest of citrus" that creates an "alchemy of flavor". The effect of a tomato is magical.
This piece and your analysis of it are so interesting! I like the weird descriptions of the tomatoes. You do a really good job of using specific quotes and I think your analysis is thorough and does a good job capturing the overall feeling/mood of the writing.
ReplyDeleteHmm... those are the most sexual descriptions of tomatoes I've ever read. If I remember heirloom tomatoes are homegrown strains of the plant that have unique characteristics. So the title of the piece is great. Your analysis of the imagery in itself was interesting. I also like your concluding sentence. Its short and sweet.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ginger that the piece you picked is very interesting, and I like that your individual voice is able to come through in your response. You do a good job of analyzing the techniques as well, and I can tell you put some thought into this analysis.
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