Didion On Family

In both “On Going Home” written by Joan Didion and “The Case for Single-Child Families” written by Bill McKibben, family is the main topic that each author centers their stories. While each author has different perspectives, they also have some similarities that come to the surface.Both passages are full of insights of how each author views their families and how their families have shaped their lives. Individually each author has a different tone and style, but each let the aspect of family effect their futures and their lives all together.
In Didion’s “On Going Home” family has shaped the author in a way a lot of readers can connect with and feel more in touch with their emotions. It is very clear the author’s tone is warming and sincere when it comes to family. Didion talks about her home saying “I am home for my daughter’s first birthday. By
He states while sitting in the doctor’s office waiting to get a vasectomy “I have one child. I’d decided to have no more.”(223). While the passage is full of information on McKibben’s stance, his tone is bleak and dry as if you were reading a list of statistics and facts. Though the author comes across bold, he does appreciate and has much love for his only child saying, “I have one child; she is the light of my life; she makes me care far more about the future than I used to” (229). McKibben informs his readers with many facts such as topics on birth controls, abortions, and population (224). He later goes on talking about why he only had one child saying “And I have one child; so even after my work I have some time, money, and energy left to do other things.” and went on to say “If I had three kids, I would still do those things, but less of them” (229). McKibben makes some valid points in his passage, which gives us the reason for his tone and