Josephine Surer - Lawns

I enjoyed reading Lawns by Mona Simpson for the smooth build up to the character’s disturbing reality. With the opening sentence being “I steal.” (445) the reader automatically understands that there is more to the character’s life then she admits. When Jenny points out just how self-conscious she is around her father, the reader then catches on that her issues have a relation with her father. Her attitude with him first comes off as aggressive and cold, but when the truth is finally revealed, we sympathize and somewhat forgive Jenny. The tone of the story then shifts to a duller and lonelier tone, especially when she breaks up with Glenn. At this point, Jenny has broken with her father and Glenn and even though this should be described as a good thing, the reader only feels more remorse for Jenny. I think what made this story so striking was that it really made me understand that everyone has a story behind how they act.