Natalie Kusz: Nose Ring Leader
Nose Ring Leader
Robert Karr
Keuka College
ENG 300
November 3, 2014
Nancy Latour
Nose Ring Leader
"To be yourself in a world that is trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." This well known quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson relates well with the issues that the author Natalie Kusz depicts in her story "Ring Leader". As Kusz begins the story in her 30 's, she rewinds to her childhood while painting a picture of her appearance and the struggles she faced not only throughout her childhood but also into adulthood. These issues that Kusz has encountered throughout her life are not unique to only herself. I believe that this story was found so popular in Allure magazine, as well …show more content…
She describes how she was left with one eye due to a dog attack, leaving the side of her face scared and an easy target for humiliation from not only children but adults as well. When struggling with an image issue at a such a young age, as Natalie did, it can prove to be very tolling on your personal view of yourself and the lack of self confidence. This point is made clear in the text as Kusz (2010) states, "Above all, I studied the other kids, their physical posture, their music, their methods of blow-dyer artistry, hoping one day to emerge from my body, invisible." (p.102) As she did not feel comfortable in her skin, it shows at this young age how much she cared about fitting in and being liked while going through the trouble to mimic …show more content…
This positive trait, that is clear through reading Kusz ' essay 's, significantly aided in her eventual breakout of shell into becoming the confident woman, and mother, that she wanted to be. As she struggles to fit in with the social norms, Kusz waits until she is locked in with tenure at her teaching job to do something that many others may view as confusing or misguided. In a matter of minutes Natalie emerged from the shop with a nose ring and a completely revamped image of herself. As described earlier how she grew accustomed to the stares from young and old alike, Nancy went against the social norm and got a nose piercing which would only accentuate the eye patch and scars on her face that she previously tried to hide from. This nose piercing primarily served as a indication to show that she was truly different than others. However, it turned into something much more meaningful. One of the most powerful sentences of this article is found in the last few paragraphs where she states,"Polite as was the society of that region, my colleagues never referred to my nose, but I could see them looking and wondering a bit, which was exactly what I wanted..." (Kusz, 2010, p.104) At this moment in the story it was evident that Natalie has finally come to peace with herself and felt a sense of liberation as she no longer dreads the odd stares and rude remarks. Rather, she is now inviting these stares with the addition of a nose ring and invokes
Robert Karr
Keuka College
ENG 300
November 3, 2014
Nancy Latour
Nose Ring Leader
"To be yourself in a world that is trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." This well known quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson relates well with the issues that the author Natalie Kusz depicts in her story "Ring Leader". As Kusz begins the story in her 30 's, she rewinds to her childhood while painting a picture of her appearance and the struggles she faced not only throughout her childhood but also into adulthood. These issues that Kusz has encountered throughout her life are not unique to only herself. I believe that this story was found so popular in Allure magazine, as well …show more content…
She describes how she was left with one eye due to a dog attack, leaving the side of her face scared and an easy target for humiliation from not only children but adults as well. When struggling with an image issue at a such a young age, as Natalie did, it can prove to be very tolling on your personal view of yourself and the lack of self confidence. This point is made clear in the text as Kusz (2010) states, "Above all, I studied the other kids, their physical posture, their music, their methods of blow-dyer artistry, hoping one day to emerge from my body, invisible." (p.102) As she did not feel comfortable in her skin, it shows at this young age how much she cared about fitting in and being liked while going through the trouble to mimic …show more content…
This positive trait, that is clear through reading Kusz ' essay 's, significantly aided in her eventual breakout of shell into becoming the confident woman, and mother, that she wanted to be. As she struggles to fit in with the social norms, Kusz waits until she is locked in with tenure at her teaching job to do something that many others may view as confusing or misguided. In a matter of minutes Natalie emerged from the shop with a nose ring and a completely revamped image of herself. As described earlier how she grew accustomed to the stares from young and old alike, Nancy went against the social norm and got a nose piercing which would only accentuate the eye patch and scars on her face that she previously tried to hide from. This nose piercing primarily served as a indication to show that she was truly different than others. However, it turned into something much more meaningful. One of the most powerful sentences of this article is found in the last few paragraphs where she states,"Polite as was the society of that region, my colleagues never referred to my nose, but I could see them looking and wondering a bit, which was exactly what I wanted..." (Kusz, 2010, p.104) At this moment in the story it was evident that Natalie has finally come to peace with herself and felt a sense of liberation as she no longer dreads the odd stares and rude remarks. Rather, she is now inviting these stares with the addition of a nose ring and invokes