Genre
Memoir
Setting and Context
New York and Los Angeles, December 2003 - December 2004
Narrator and Point of View
Joan Didion, the author, writes from her own point of view.
Tone and Mood
Cool and restrained
Protagonist and Antagonist
Joan Didion
Major Conflict
The death of Joan's husband, John, and the serious illness of her daughter, Quintana are the major conflicts.
Climax
John's death, Quintana's hospitalizations
Foreshadowing
John's heart problems in the past
Understatement
Didion does not depict very dramatic shows of emotion, despite the heightened emotional states she is in after her husband's death.
Allusions
Quotes from a variety of sources, including classical literature and medical research
Imagery
Didion describes the California seaside vistas that surrounded the house she used to have there.
Paradox
Didion recognizes that her thinking after her husband's death is irrational, but she cannot help but continue thinking that way.
Parallelism
In many places, Didion begins short paragraphs with the same words or phrases, such as a person's name or "So..."
Metonymy and Synecdoche
John's shoes stand in for his person.
Personification
Didion's memories and thoughts seem to be "sideswiping her," as though they were driving a car.
