Copy of kmn essay - Grade: B PDF

Preview

Summary

know my name essay...

Description

Nguyen 1

6 March 2020 Know My Name Essay Chanel Miller’s memoir, Know My Name, tells the story of her sexual assault and the long journey of healing afterwards. As she loses her identity, she finds herself surrounded by multiple archetypal characters, such as the faithful companion and the earth mother. These supportive individuals stand beside Chanel throughout her journey and help her find her identity through nourishment and love. By doing so, Chanel created a support system that gave her motivation and hope throughout her hero’s journey. In January of 2015, Chanel Miller was sexually assaulted by Brock Turner. The assault caused her to be bombarded with meetings and trials as she tries to prove her integrity. As a result, Chanel was overwhelmed and wanted someone to comfort her. Her boyfriend, Lucas, was her faithful companion, a person who encouraged her to complete her journey. I didn’t realize how much I’d craved being wrapped in the arms of another person. When we think of people fitting together, we may think of a man inserting himself into a woman, but there are many ways we overlook. . . We are designed to bend and fold, to comfort ourselves and each other . . . After the assault, I felt the need to be touched, but wanted nothing to do with invade, inject, insert, inside, only wanted the intimacy of being wrapped up safely in something. (Miller 58). She was torn into pieces and felt empty after what had happened the day of the assault. Chanel wanted to feel whole and happy again, but she lost her identity. The hollowness she felt inside caused her to isolate herself from others. Brock caused her to lose the trust in touch and forced

Nguyen 2 her to relearn the sense. When she had finally reunited with her boyfriend, Lucas, Chanel hugged him tightly. The simple interaction between two people who love each other has the ability to give shelter and comfort. She found peace in Lucas and felt safe in his arms. As her faithful companion, someone who truly would go great lengths to be with Chanel, he was able to provide guidance and accompany Chanel on her journey to healing, helping her rediscover herself. After moving into Lucas’ apartment in Philadelphia, Chanel often detached herself from the world. However, she still craved comfort and love. So to receive this affection, she went out and visited a hair, eyebrow, and nail salon, where she met some earth mothers. “Just a trim, I said, which is easier to say than, I’m here because I need to talk to humans, I need you to gently touch my head.” (Miller 130). This proves how she wanted to be able to interact with other people. Touched in a gentle way that made her feel safe and secured rather than in a way that violated her. She also yearned for her “mom’s soft hands, the feeling of her care.” (130). The woman who washed Chanel’s hair resemble the earth mother archetype. Her kind touch to Chanel, made her feel nurtured and cared for, allowing her to continue on her journey. This relaxing experience allowed Miller to be at ease and begin a conversation with the hair stylist. She asked the woman personal questions and at the same time Chanel found her answers relatable to her own life. Next, Miller visited an eyebrow grooming parlor where she spent her time “reclined into another woman’s soft hands.” (130). On the third day, she got her nails painted in bright traffic cone orange, which is a color often associated with happiness and creativity. After getting a makeover, Chanel felt as if her life was back to normal even if it was just temporary. This is a big step for Chanel, because she was able to find an outlet to fulfill her needs and put herself back into her “self-made rhythms and routines.” (130). Having an earth

Nguyen 3 mother figure is important in all heroes’ journeys because a hero needs nourishment to grow. Chanel was isolated and alone after she horrifically discovered she was sexually abused, but having these nurturing figures helped her learn how to take care of her own body again. There was a candlelight vigil held in support of Christine Ford in 2018. Chanel and her family participated in the ceremony. “My mom arrived, slipped me a red bean mooncake she’d been carrying in her pocket, and we walked into the crowd where Grandma Ann was waiting, chanting, We believe you.” (Miller 326). Both her mother and her grandmother were Chanel’s earth mothers. Her grandma was able to empathize with her granddaughter as they walked to support Ford. This nurturement exhibits earth mother attributes. Chanel’s mom brought her a snack because she didn’t want her daughter to become exhausted during the vigil. Mothers want their children to be well fed and cared for; clearly again, embodying the characteristics of an earth mother. Previously, Miller’s mom felt guilty because comments had surfaced online questioning her, “What kind of mom dumps her two daughters at a frat party?” (Miller 47). Chanel’s mother knew that her eldest daughter suffered for three years and wanted to do everything in her power to love and console her. Prior to Chanel’s testimony, “Grandma Ann took out a bag of dark chocolate.” (Miller 160), which also represents traits of an earth mother as they tend to nurture others. Chanel Miller isolated herself while dealing with the impact of her assault, but fortunately was able to find comfort in the faithful companion and earth mothers surrounding her. They managed to spot her in the most vulnerable moments when she needed them most and simply stood with her. Her faithful companion and earth mothers cherished her, which guided Chanel to become a strong, independent, and admirable woman. As life gets tough, people

Nguyen 4 should not suffer alone, instead they should let down their guard and rely on others. When Chanel was alone and disconnected from the world, she was at her lowest. However, when she reached out to others, she was capable of locating fellow faithful companions and earth mother figures, who uplifted her and transformed her from a supporting character to the main protagonist....