Body In Trouble

Reading Summary

     Nancy Mairs' essay, "Body In Trouble," is intended for feminist readers who, like herself, have a disease, disability, or who have a personal experience with similar difficulties. She sympathizes with her audience by stating how people with mental disorders where believed to be possessed by demons in biblical times. Mairs' use of figurative language and description holds the attention of readers both in and outside of her target audience. She illustrates her tribulations with a broken in credibility that helps readers make an emotional connection to her writing. As a disabled feminist, Nacy Mairs' essay has many identifying characteristics supporting her values and firm beliefs. Her use of language is applied in a way that conveys her inner strength as opposed to her weak physicality. For example, there is a metaphorical comparison in Mairs' essay of her inability to use sharp objects, however, she states with pride the control of her sharp tongue. She questions her readers of the usefulness of a "cripple" such as herself, then goes on to commend some her accomplishments-in spite of her disability.
     There is a binding influence made clear in Mairs' essay; The lack of power women give themselves (or in some cases are permitted) and the lack of independence (or control) that accompanies the disabled. These are the main elements used to explain how society negatively views her audience and herself through a very emotional appeal. These too are the elements she uses to ask for respect- Not the respect already given from her intended audience, but the respect deserved from the non-feminists, the physically, mentally healthy, and the most of all, the non-disabled readers.