There are several things that can cause a significant change in someone’s life. In the three passages, “An American Childhood”, “At the Crossroads”, and “Thank You Ma’am”, they all explore the significant impact one person can have another person or their life. Enough though some might not believe in small things having a impact on people they are in fact very wrong. To begin, in the passage “An American Childhood” by Annie Dillard the author (Annie) develops her own interests. The author is thought to have a interest in science or discovering new things through a microscope. On page 325, paragraph 1 it says, “After I read The Field Book of Ponds and Streams several times, I longed for a microscope. Everybody needed a microscope. Detectives used microscopes, both for the FBI and at Scotland Yard. Although usually I had to save my tiny allowance for things I wanted, that year for Christmas my parents gave me a …show more content…
It also helps the author develop a love for discovering new things. The effect of Annie enjoying scientific ‘research’ is that her parents were not at all interested. On page 326, paragraph 10 it states, “Mother regarded me warmly. She gave me to understand that she was glad I had found what I had been looking for, but that she and Father were happy to sit with their coffee, and would not be coming down.” This is relevant because the author gets to reflect on how her parents reacted. She realized her parent’s pursuits were coffee and hers were scientific findings. This helps her realize that she can be independent and have her own interest just like her