Response to "The Sanctuary of School"

                The term “narrative” is often thrown around, used synonymously with words like “backstory” and “account.” But what exactly entails a good narrative? I believe a good narrative is entertaining, detailed, and informative. It should lead the reader through a series of events that happen in a certain fashion, and it’s up to the writer to tell that story. The six main points to touch are who, what, when, where, why and how. By answering all of these questions, the reader’s curiosity of the specifics of the story is satisfied. They are left with a visual interpretation in their head, as if this were actually a movie that they were watching. Every detail written in the narrative contributes to this movie, making it even more realistic to the point where the reader reacts with the events and the characters. I believe all of these points entail a good narrative.

            In response to Lynda Barry’s The Sanctuary of School, I felt like this narrative was very relatable and interesting. As someone who has also felt a disconnection from what was supposed to be “home”, I felt like her interpretation of what was actually “home” is similar enough to my own to capture my interest. For Barry, school is the place where she was accepted and noticed by her teachers, and it is here that she receives the attention that every seven year old deserves. It is a far contrast from her house, where her place on her parent’s list of priorities is overshadowed by burdens of “frustration, depression and anger”. I really like how Barry begins her story with a very peek at her daily life, before launching into the series of events itself. Only after she sneaks away from her house and into her school does she get into a more detailed explanation of her troubles. Her organization here is metaphorical to how she can only express her feelings once she has gotten away from the main problem.

            Barry uses her narrative to argue that public schools contribute a lot to those who need it; in this specific case, children. Besides the educational portion of the school, it contributes to a child’s mental well-being as well. These days, there really isn’t enough time and energy to look after every single child and make sure they’re happy. That’s where public schools come in; even if parents can’t provide the best for their kids, public schools are still alternative options. Teachers are there to temporarily replace parents, schools are escapes from homes, and schools have more resources, like art equipment, and that’s always a plus.

            Barry also uses the word “light” to indicate all the good things in her life. She first uses it to describe television as “the light of our lives”. In a house where she is surrounded by despair, television is her and her brother’s outlet. Television is usually the one trying to capture your attention, and Barry would gladly turn away from one world into another. She also says that “points of light” in a child’s life can be “as far away as stars”. Again, the “points of light” is used to represent all the good things in a child’s life. But they are so out of reach; no matter how they try and try to be happy, they can’t do it, and the goal is as far away as the stars. “Points of light” is also a metaphor for stars itself, and the children would strive to be the star and shine through the sea of blackness known as the sky.