#The tracey fragments meaning full#
#The tracey fragments meaning series#

The question “Are you happy?” is certainly an excellent first step in determining whether or not Tracey even needs to be in therapy. Heker, and so the question is designed to determine if Tracey feels accepted by her parents, or if she’s a target for their disapproval. Certain ways of looking at the world, particularly artistic ones, are unacceptable to Tracey’s parents, as she has presented them to Dr. Heker can only ask questions based on what Tracey tells her, and if Tracey is being honest with us (not a given at all), then it was a logical question to ask given what she was revealing about her parents’ attitudes. “Do you think you’re creative?” is certainly not useful at all, but it comes from Tracey herself. The two questions should be addressed separately. Think the therapist has any idea what the root of Tracey’s problem is?

#The tracey fragments meaning series#

I think I’ve already addressed that, but just to be clear: Tracey Berkowitz is falling apart after a series of traumatic events, and therefore so is the narrative.ģ) Tracey’s therapist asks her “Are you happy?” and “Do you think you’re creative?”Īre these useful questions for getting to the root of Tracey’s problem? Do you

To put mania together with a fragmented narrative (especially with a female narrator) is almost de rigeur for experimental fiction.Ģ) How does this narrative form reflect the story itself? Mania is a hugely clichéd form for mental illness in literature and drama, and for teenage girls in particular. I am disappointed that Medved chose mania as the form for Tracey’s mental instability. What’s most difficult, I think, is how thoroughly Tracey’s perceptions have deteriorated, and how unwilling she is to face the truth, not only of what has happened, but of how she’s dealing with it. All it really takes to put together a reasonable picture of what’s going on is patience and attention to the material. I’m an experienced reader of a variety of fictional forms, so I’m used to deliberately fragmented narratives. So instead of doing a proper review, I’m going to answer the questions found in the two-page reading guide.ġ) Does the fragmented style of Tracey’s narrative make it a difficult book for the The guide won’t really tell you anything about the level of discussion found in your average book group (and The Tracey Fragments doesn’t seem like the kind of choice your average book group would make), but rather what Anansi thinks the level of discussion is or should be.

I think they’re intended to help book groups with discussion, and I find the idea fascinating.

#The tracey fragments meaning full#

While I was reading I noticed a full page ad in the back of the book for “reading guides” that Anansi makes available for download. She’s far more intelligent and dedicated to her craft than most people her age in any field, and light years beyond your average actor or actress.

After seeing her performances in Hard Candy and Juno, as well as interviews with her, I simply could not resist. I admit to buying this book for the sole reason that it was made into a film starring Ellen Page.