She writes, "Might not Mrs. Minnie S. Brooks help me to remember what I am? Might not Mrs. Lou Fox help me to remember what I am not?" (Didon). This is cause and effect at its best, for the bits of memories she writes down cause her to think hard about her own life and what she is attempting to do with it. She is lost in memories of earlier times as she wades through the entries that do not seem to make any sense, and they "cause" her to write this essay, sharing these bits and pieces with the world. The effect of her writing, and the memories in her notebook, is to encourage others to do the same, in hopes of someday discovering her creativity and storytelling abilities.
Ultimately, the cause and effect of reading this essay is to understand a little bit more about the author, but to gain understanding of our own motives in keeping a notebook, as well. Didon thinks keeping a notebook is a selfish or self-adsorbed act, because ultimately, it is all about what "I" see, feel, hear, and experience. Thus, keeping a notebook is an utterly selfish and self-serving act. However,...
Reading causes her to remember, even if the memories are false, and they inspire her creations. The notebook is its own cause and effect in a way, because the effect of the entries is more creativity and poetic license in her works.
In conclusion, Didon's essay is full of cause and effect, from how it affects her writing to the emotions it causes in others. Her essay is an excellent example of how writers often see things different, and can describe them with emotions and sentiments that are memorable, because they are able to pick and choose among their memories and fictionalize them. It is also very inspiring to young writers, because it is clear that her notebook inspires her, and that memories, even if they are false, are rich prompts for writing.
References
Didon, Joan. "On Keeping a Notebook." University of the Witwatersrand. 2006. 12 March 2007. http://www.wits.ac.za/humanities/lls/holistic/didion2.htm
