Less Magical Thinking
Engaging Paraphrase:
The Two Sides of Joan Didion
Among the chattering class, it is often argued that Joan Didion had two distinct personas. On one hand, she was the conservative who fearlessly exposed the hypocrisies of the hippie movement in “Slouching Towards Bethlehem.” On the other hand, she was the “radical” Didion, as Louis Menand describes her, who recognized that in America, ”money and power” are the only things that truly matter. Both versions of Didion shared a disdain for nonsense, whether it came from the Left or the Right, and possessed a tragic outlook on life.
What united these two Didions was their impatience with empty rhetoric and their ability to see through the illusions of society. The hippies, despite preaching peace and love, were willing to harm their own children by giving them acid in “High Kindergarten.” American feminists, rather than being truly revolutionary, often treated women as fragile creatures in need of constant protection. Law-and-order advocates, driven by paranoia, were more interested in fueling media frenzy than seeking justice.
If there’s one recurring theme in Didion’s work, it is her belief that the language of “social action” is a facade. We are drawn to lofty moral ideals because they allow us to hide from the “meaninglessness” that is inherent in human existence. We prefer a simplified version of reality that conveniently ignores inconvenient details which could challenge our sentimental narratives.
Unfortunately, Evelyn McDonnell’s book, The World According to Joan Didion, falls into the trap of presenting a sentimental and oversimplified account of Didion’s life and work. McDonnell aims to demonstrate how Didion fearlessly exposed the lies we tell ourselves to survive, but instead, she creates her own fiction: a feminist icon who inspired millions.
According to McDonnell, Didion triumphed over ”toxic masculinity” and the oppressive pressures society places on women, revolutionizing the way we write. She dismantled hierarchies, critiqued American imperialism, and condemned the systemic racism within New York City and the criminal justice system. McDonnell portrays Didion as a champion of anxiety, empowering her readers. McDonnell claims that without Didion, countless aspiring writers would never have found their voice.
While acknowledging Didion’s imperfections, McDonnell suggests that she is still worth reading because “she loved women.” However, McDonnell’s book contradicts Didion’s own practice of avoiding simplistic answers and clichés.
McDonnell’s analysis of Didion’s style is equally uninspiring. She praises Didion for her precision and originality, claiming that every word was meticulously chosen. Yet, McDonnell’s attempt to imitate Didion’s style comes across as more of a parody than a tribute. Her use of repetition lacks evocativeness, and her one-sentence summaries of Didion’s life and work are trite.
Furthermore, McDonnell’s metaphors often fall flat. She inflates her language unnecessarily, replacing simple terms with grandiose phrases. Her insertion of herself into the narrative feels out of place.
McDonnell mentions that Didion would delete entire passages from her work, demonstrating her dedication to perfection. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for The World According to Joan Didion.
The World According to Joan Didion
by Evelyn McDonnell
HarperOne, 243 pp., $26.99Micah Mattix, a professor of English at Regent University, has written for the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Examiner, and many other publications.
How did Didion’s criticism extend to the feminist movement, and how does it challenge McDonnell’s portrayal of her as a conservative critic?
But instead, she presents a one-dimensional portrayal of Didion as merely a conservative critic of the hippie movement. McDonnell fails to acknowledge the nuanced and complex nature of Didion’s writings, as well as her ability to critique multiple facets of society.
While it is true that Didion did confront the hypocrisy of the hippie movement in “Slouching Towards Bethlehem,” her writings extended far beyond this singular focus. Didion’s works explored a wide range of topics, from politics and feminism to media and cultural illusions. She was not confined to one ideology or perspective; rather, she saw through the illusions of society regardless of political affiliation.
Didion’s criticism extended to all aspects of society, including the feminist movement. While McDonnell portrays Didion as a conservative critic of feminist ideals, that is an oversimplification. Didion understood the complexities and contradictions within feminist discourse, challenging the notion that all women are fragile and in need of protection. She recognized that true feminism should empower women to navigate the complexities of the world, rather than perpetuating a simplistic and limited view.
Furthermore, Didion’s criticism extended to the law-and-order advocates who fueled media frenzy instead of seeking justice. She questioned the motives and actions of those who prioritize their own agendas over the pursuit of truth. Didion’s ability to see through empty rhetoric and expose the underlying truths made her a unique and powerful voice in American literature.
Didion’s writings also revealed her belief in the inherent meaninglessness of human existence. She saw through the facade of lofty moral ideals and sentimental narratives that allow us to escape the harsh realities of life. Didion saw the world for what it truly is, stripped of illusions and pretenses, and she challenged her readers to confront this uncomfortable truth.
In conclusion, Joan Didion cannot be confined to one persona or ideology. While she did criticise the hypocrisy of the hippie movement in “Slouching Towards Bethlehem,” her writings encompassed a much wider range of topics and perspectives. Evelyn McDonnell’s portrayal of Didion as a conservative critic is simplistic and fails to capture the complexity and depth of Didion’s work. Didion’s ability to see through illusions and expose the truth in society extends to all aspects, and her belief in the meaninglessness of human existence challenges us to confront uncomfortable realities.
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