The Year of Magical Thinking Lesson Plan

What tone does Didion use in her narration? Are you surprised by her tone? Why or why not?

Students should identify that Didion's tone is matter-of-fact and somewhat detached. She presents information about her life in a journalistic way, as if she is reporting on a story--she focuses on the facts (often repeating them) and even does research to confirm that things are as she remembers. Students might be surprised that she takes such a tone in describing her husband's death, though others might argue that this tone conveys a sense of shock and numbness understandable in the face of such a tragedy.

Didion points out that just as John's death took place on a day that seemed...