Week 8: Dear Mr White

I have recently your essay “The Prodigal Son” as apart of my University Literature class. I found it an interesting read. It allowed me to get a deeper insight into your experiences and life lessons, more so that a biography would do. I would like to discuss my thoughts on you essay with you.

I found it interesting how you started off referring to yourself in third person, before switching to first person and keeping it like that. At first, it confused me slightly as I thought you were referring to Mr Kershaw, rather than yourself. What was your thought process behind this unusual technique? When reading it, it seemed to me like you were having an out of body experience, before returning back to normal and continuing with your reflection. 

I can empathise with your statement of being ‘discontented’ with the new life you had made for yourself. I also will pick up a new task and be happy with it, before becoming discontented and going back to my roots. I’m certainly glad that you were able to find happiness within yourself to write again. 

Your final statement of “To me, the letters alone are reason enough for staying” was a perfect summary to the reflections made in the previous sentences. While you needed not a reason to stay, the letters received would have certainly been a heart warmer and assisted you in knowing that you had made the right decision.

Thankyou for imparting your literature and knowledge onto us. As a member of a future generation, I thank you. 

Sincerely
Courtney Mattick