Jacqueline Gallegos

English 101
An American Lyric
Dont let me be lonely by Claudia Rankine uses multiple methods of writing. Rankine
gives her audience insight on how we individually and as a society are failing. We are oblivious
to whats in front of us, disconnected from one another, and finally how we are struggling as a
nation. Rankine uses short stories that talk about multiple subjects (depression, death,
forgiveness, politics, racism, loneliness, hope, etc.) may not make sense at first but they grasp the
attention of the reader over and over again. The writing elements she uses are the reason Rankine
is able to connect so successfully with her audience. Juxtaposition, imagery and narrative are the
most effective in translating Rankines message.
The use of juxtaposition although confusing at first keeps the reader entertained.
Juxtaposition sets the reader up for failure, but in this case that is a good thing. With a start of a
new paragraph a new idea comes with it but by the end of the paragraph one will change their
opinion as to what they think the main idea of the story is. In a way, one can say that this is a
hooking tactic. She leaves gaps in the form of white pages between each story to give the reader
a slight moment of reflection. A moment to think about what the reader just read without any
interruption-a blank page, and ones attention. Due to the continuous shift in short stories the
reader is more motivated to continue. For example, on page 77 through 81, there is a shift of
topic from the first story that talks about death of children and the next story about the world
trade center attack (terrorism). There is no obvious connection however, one is intrigued by
trying to why she would put these stories next to one another and if there is a common ground.

This continues throughout the book until, about midway when stories with no solution placed are
introduced. The underline solution of Rankine message begins to surface.
Imagery is also fundamental element used in dont let me be lonely. The descriptive
language builds details for the reader allowing for physical senses to be awakened while images
accentuate it. As the reader continues, multiple emotion are achieved; sadness, anger,
disconnection can almost be felt through the pages. The images displayed between the words are
the final element needed to express Rankines passive aggression. For example, on page 108
Rankine writes, the sadness is real because once it meant something real. It mean dignified,
grave; it mean trustworthy; it meant exceptionally bad, deplorable, shameful; it meant massive,
weighty, forming a compact body; it meant falling heavily; and it meant of a color: dark. It
meant dark in color, to darken. It meant me. I felt sad. This ultimately leads to a greater impact
with her readers as they are able to get emotional along with the author.
Along with all the other literary elements, Rankine uses a poetic style to her narrative. This
approach on narrative poetry gives the reader a new way of visualization. The style itself does
not transfer smoothly at times but, it is easy to understand and therefor works well. Poetry is
used as an extension to what is already being said. Whether happy, sad or lonely it allows for yet
another picture to be drawn up. Rankine does not need to be forceful with her words, this painted
canvas she holds beneath the text is sufficient. For example, page 35 she writes;
A day so happy
Fog lifted early, I worked in the garden.
There was no thing on earth I wanted to possess.

I knew no one worth envying him

Whatever evil I had suffered, I forgot.
To think that once I was the same man did not embarrass me.
In my body I felt no pain.
When straightening up, I saw the blue sea and sails.
It is without doubt that Rankine is using this poem to express the happiness of a child lying on
the roof with no worries.
In conclusion, Rankine has used multiple methods of writing in Dont let me be lonely to allow
her audience to be captivated and present her message. In my opinion the entanglement of
juxtaposition, narrative poetry and imagery successfully achieved the goal of keeping her
audiences entertain. With such experience it is more than likely that one will be influence and
actually take a step in the name of change. Individually we can take the first step to better our
society.