Lit Essay 2

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Brett Burns
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Nearly everyone can identify with having an embarrassing moment in public because of his or her parents. In these disconcerting circumstances, it is always slightly comical to observe another fall victim to this embarrassment. In this passage from “Kiss and Tell”, Alain de Botton reproduces the comic effect one would gather from experiencing the encounter first-hand by integrating characterization combination with foreshadowing. Botton’s illumination of this comedic event further shows how a lack of communication between parents and children causes internal disconnects to develop. Botton’s employing of characterization allows the reader to take on an inside perspective on this humorous encounter. The passage initiates with a strikingly funny statement from Isabel, “Oh my God, I think that’s my mum over there”. This quote in particular is relatable to nearly all children when they have the startling realization that their parent(s) are in the same public area. Later on in the excerpt, Isabel refers to her mother’s “willow tree” dress. This portion of the story, through its comical tone, allows not only to characterize the mother, but also to portray the mother-daughter relationship as distant and faint. In addition, Isabel’s description of her mother’s dress characterizes Isabel as harsh and judgmental towards her mother. Lastly, the darker humor of referring to her mother’s “gentlemen friends” further illustrates a developing disconnect between parent and child. Ordinarily, a girl referring to her mother as an adulteress, no matter the context, would be regarded as extremely rude and inappropriate. However, Isabel seems to be used to being disconnected and rude in regards to her mother, which also characterizes the mother as passive and possibly even not a good mother figure. As a whole, the humor becomes more evident through the characterization, whether it is light or dark humor. Secondly, the use of foreshadowing assists in creating a comical
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