Notes for Danielle -- Houses

Dear Danielle,

This has really improved. I am loving the new work, especially the last section and some of the exacting details (fighting cocks on laundry lines --- I could write so much about this! the masculine and the domestic together as one, says so much so briefly). In this last section there seem to be more leaps. Which works well. More stacking of images. Throughout I would say that this piece is very direct in tone and descriptive/narrative. It doesn’t really include any reflection. The narrator is often in this mode of merely reporting. I really like this aspect of the piece. In this way the piece is much more like a story (but true) than a traditional essay that would involve a transition of thought and reflection. The emotions here are all sublimated into the images. I think the form, perhaps, helps you capture this. I love the small sections and the leaping around from house to house. I am wondering if you might switch the hay field passage with the first one about your mother’s house? I say this because the piece is really about you and starting with that one makes me think it will be more about your mother. If it is (more about her) forgive me, maybe she comes back, but this version seems to be more about houses in general and the idea of home. The image at the end of the iguana house is something out of Gabriel Garcia Marquez…so beautiful and rich. Moving forward, I could definitely read more sections. Since you’ve set it up, I wonder about another analytical section about the word house/home, etc. I have heard (and please look this up because I am not sure) that the word “uncanny” in German is also linked to the word “home.” I find this fascinating. The only place where I was confused was in the bird section. It seems like we start off in one house and then move into a house in memory? Is this right? Can we just start in the memory house? Really loving this so far, Great work! Best, Sarah