Summary Of An American Childhood By Annie Dillard

In her memoir, An American Childhood, Annie Dillard explores her own coming of age as she reflects on childhood memories. A particular event stands out in Dillard’s mind that she refers to while entering adulthood. She witnesses a situation during school that prompts a moment of awakening. Examining this event in Dillard’s memoir has prompted me to reflect on my own life and memory. Using Dillard’s experience with the Polyphemus moth, I am able to consider my own moments of growth and understanding. In our lives, Annie Dillard and I both experience situations that lead us to awareness and compel us to shift our focus and our outlook on the future. In her innocence, young Dillard witnesses an event during school that she reflects on throughout …show more content…
My older sister, Rachel, has always been an influential figure in my life. At home, our bedrooms are directly next door to each other, and all throughout childhood, she remained a constant source of laughter, energy, fun and memories. When she began to contemplate her future, deciding what she wanted to study, where to go to college etc, my perspective on a few things shifted. I watched my sister grow up right beside me, seeing all of her highs and lows. I was nearby when she voiced her desire for freedom and longed to “get out of this house” and “be on her own.” Our home and our small town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was becoming too limited for her growing mind and goals. When she chose her college of Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, I understood that it was time for her to “spread her wings” and show the world what she was capable of. The first few weeks of college, however, were not a walk in the park. Rachel struggled with this new idea of freedom and being entirely on her own. She called home often, asking for us to visit or for a ride back to Bethlehem. My mother aided me in understanding that in order for her to grow, she must conquer these struggles on her own. I watched from my room, formerly just feet away from my sister, as she faced new and challenging experiences. Living with a roommate whom she was the complete antithesis of and having trouble finding a balance between school work and relationships were often the topics of our conversations. I empathized with her when I knew she was feeling overwhelmed and anxious. I wanted nothing more than to run, help and comfort her, but I understood she must figure it out on her own. I texted her nearly every day, and did my best to offer words of encouragement. Rachel and I talked about old memories that made us both laugh, and talked about how excited we were to see each other