Question

Silas Hansen writes in the third person ("he"), but it is clear that he is writing about himself. Speaking in the third person can suggest distance from the subject (as opposed to using the more personal "I"). Yet deliberately repeating "he" reinforces the male identity described in the essay.

How would you perceive Hansen and the story he tells had he written in the first person? Support your response by pointing to ---and analyzing---specific passages from the essay and by focusing on the effects of specific words and phrases.

A. Hansen would be perceived as more vulnerable and relatable.
B. Hansen would be perceived as more authoritative and objective.
C. Hansen would be perceived as more detached from the story.
D. Hansen would be perceived as more connected to the story.

Answer 1

Writing in first person 'I' instead of third person 'he' would make Silas Hansen's essay appear more vulnerable and relatable, providing a closer insight into the author's personal experience and emotions.(option A)

Step-by-step explanation:

If Silas Hansen had written the essay in the first person using 'I' rather than third person 'he', the perception of Hansen and his story would likely shift significantly. Writing in the first person can create a sense of intimacy and immediacy, making Hansen appear more vulnerable and relatable to the reader. This direct mode of storytelling allows readers to experience events alongside the narrator, fostering a deeper emotional connection.

For example, consider a hypothetical passage written in first person: 'I felt the weight of their stares, each one a reminder of the person I was expected to be.' This sentence immediately pulls the reader into the narrator's inner world, emphasising subjectivity and personal experience. Instead of observing the character from the outside, readers would be privy to Hansen's feelings and thoughts, witnessing the journey from a much closer vantage point.

In contrast, the use of third person 'he' creates a sense of detachment, as if observing the character from the outside. The repeated emphasis on 'he' reinforces the male identity of the character, aligning with the objective of underlining Hansen's gender identity within the essay. If the essay were written in first person, sentences like 'He walked down the street, aware of his surroundings' would transform into 'I walked down the street, aware of my surroundings', which provides a more personal insight into the character's experience.