Ackers' use of repetition of her thoughts and actions in her essay correlates with the repetitions of her workout. She struggled to begin writing the essay, or even her thoughts/observations because not many can be put into words. In the gym, rather than announcing or describing what she is doing to herself, she simply does it. Breathes, counts, goes. Do or fail. There can not be much variation or surprises in her workout, she has to stay focused on her counting, and in doing so, slowly loses her use for language. When she finishes and wishes to write, no words come to her, because during the experience she doesn't use words at all, only her muscles.
This is a really cool way to think about the purpose of the essay! That's very true that it must have been hard for her to write about the gym after not using words!
ReplyDeleteI disagree with one of the things that you said. You say that "There can not be much variation or surprises in her workout". I disagree with this because everyday at the gym provides a slight surprise. Every routine is different whether we plan for it to be or not.
ReplyDeleteThat was very perceptive to pick up on the 'work-out' structure of Acker's essay. I totally agree I think that's an awesome point to bring up. It makes so much sense in context and it works to further strengthen her point.
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