Maps to Anywhere Part 1

The different elements throughout, “Maps to Anywhere” relate to formal essays. Many easy attention getters are asking a question and stating a fact. The story “Atlantis” and “On the Air” both start with a question. In “Beacons Burning Down” section The Miracle Chicken it starts with a fact. One other particular point that reminds me of an essay is in “On the Air” where it talks about a city sinking into lead at the beginning of the story and at the end brings the whole story full circle. In many of the stories have are metaphors in them. The most interesting story would be “On the Air.” It is almost like an argumentative essay trying to convince people to no just tear buildings down to create very modern ones. In an argumentative essay, typically you take a positive from the opposite view, in this case Louis Boullet, and rip it apart, like stating he is a drunk and envies the elite. Next he brings up how comic book cities are real and great. Another story, "The Biggest, Most Beautiful Balcony in the World" starts off with a flashback that is very realistic. Unlike most flashbacks where every detail is remembered this one excludes some because the narrator can not remember. It also shows the two paths a dream can take. The niece changes or forgets her curiosity about the world, while the main character still strives to achieve through his life. It ends on a halfway sad note that the narrator wishes their life was different and had the view on a balcony they always wanted. This almost brings in a lesson that dreaming and wishing is not always enough to get you there. In the section, “Beacons Burning Down” the stories seem to call upon one person, thing, item, and place and take it in a new direction. Commonly, it is a disappointing direction where they wish society or their situation was different.