Response to Sanctuary of School

A good narrative is an account of events that answers the question ''what happened?''. It tells a story about one's personal experiences or the experiences of somebody else. There are several reasons why people write narratives. It can be for entertainment, persuasion, an explanation for significant events or an acceptance of another person's views. The importance of a narration is to make a point or to support an argument. This leaves lots of creative freedom for the author to make it a short and sweet narrative or a long and complex narrative. A good narrative will first consider the audience and purpose of his or her writing. They will then consider the details to include and organizing them into a chronological order. The author must ensure that the readers will follow the story and see the point they are trying to express. In order to do so, the narration will include chronology, transitions, verb tenses and plot. When the text is provided in a chronological order, the readers can easily follow the story that is being told. With the help of transitions, the readers know exactly what is going on; helping the story flow smoothly. Verb tenses keep the reader aware of what is happening and when. It will be easier to distinguish the difference between the story you are telling and the arguments/points you are bringing up. In the end, a good narration is not about the story you are telling; but more so the way you are telling it. ''The interest we enjoy in a well-told story often comes not so much from the nature of vents themselves but as from how they are presented''. 

The narrative ''The Sanctuary of School'' makes an imperative argument of why public schools should not cut art and extra curricular programs . As a reader, I found this story really heartwarming and it made me sympathize for Lynda Barry. As a child, she is completely neglected by her parents in a troubled household. Her only escape and safe haven is her school. She finds art as an escape to her emotional suffering because she can actually be heard through her artwork. As a writer, I liked how the story was told from first person because it makes the story more sincere. The story is written in a chronological order, making it easy for me to understand her argument. She introduces the story talking about her problems at home and how she is neglected by both her parents. It is followed by her being able to escape to school in the middle of night without her parents knowing. This is also the most symbolic point of the story in my opinion, because she says that she wasn't scared of walking in the dark; but scared of not being able to go to school. Once she gets to the school, she is welcomed by her school staff. The janitor and teachers' actions are contrasted to the parents actions portraying that school is more of a home to Barry than her actual home. Another aspect of this narration I enjoyed was the fact that she didn't focus everything on her argument. She states her argument and supports it by something more personal; her own story. This makes her argument so much stronger and draws the attention of more readers. 

The point of Barry's argument is to stop public schools from canceling their art programs. Her argument is stated more directly in the conclusion where it transitions back to present day. The problem that is present is the cancellation of art programs in public schools. She talks about how art shaped and influenced her childhood to mark the significance of art programs in public schools. She also concludes her paragraph with '' I wonder now when the country will face its children and say a pledge right back''. She makes this argument towards the end of the conclusion saying that children faithfully recite the Pledge of Allegiance everyday pledging to their country, where as the country is thanking them by cutting off art programs. She is questioning the power of the masses and when they will do justice for the children. 

Barry's use of ''light'' is symbolic of the hope it give children. The light represents the art programs that are being cut from public schools. Barry also refers to ''light'' in reference to President George H.W. Bush's inaugural address when he talks about community organizations being spread like stars throughout the nation. Barry's reference to this speech is saying how one's words contradict one's actions. It is said that these programs are important but in reality they're cutting them because they find them insignificant hinting that the students attending these public schools are also insignificant.