Structure

The structure of the memoir is highly varied and frequently changes from past to present tense. The storyline is not constructed chronologically, but instead consists of a series of memories that go back and forth in time, accompanied by the author's thoughts, musings, and reflections. The author draws connections between historical events and their impact on current events, further blurring the distinction between past and present. While inconstant, the overall progression of the memoir generally follows the author’s experience in the period following his mother’s death. It begins with a memory from the author’s youth that exemplified his mother’s presence throughout his childhood before rapidly shifting to the onset of mother’s illness. This pattern continues throughout the memoir and allows the reader to gain access to a wide array of perspectives, while further underscoring the significant degree to which the past continues...