“For a long time, I tried to figure out how I was going to get started as a writer. I knew that a writer was what I wanted to be—though it wasn’t clear exactly why.” (Page 25) This quote is said by Mark Edmundson, who is a well known writer and author who published “Why Write.” I picked Mark Edmundson's chapter "To Catch a Dream," which explores the nature of dreams and the value of following one's passions in life. This chapter is speaking to people who want to start writing and also extends to people who want to catch a dream. He pinpoints this audience through anecdotes, counterclaims, and assumptions. Throughout this chapter, Mark Edmundson uses a lot of anecdotes relating to his personal life. According to Edmundson, dreams are essential …show more content…
According to Edmundson, the American Dream has always been associated with the concept of hard work. The 1960s saw the emergence of a new counterculture, which rejected these ideals and embraced different ways to express themselves. The widespread use of drugs like cocaine and LSD was one feature of this counterculture. Many people at the time, according to Edmundson, thought that using drugs could help them reach more advanced levels of awareness and gain a better understanding of both the self and the outside world. He also claims that this viewpoint was flawed and that drug use frequently had detrimental effects on both people and the community. He points out that many of those who experimented with drugs in the 1960s developed addictions or other problems, which continue to have an impact on American society …show more content…
As such, his argument is built through a mix of personal narrative, cultural criticism, and philosophical evaluation. I believe that "To Catch a Dream" is a thoughtful and motivational essay that inspires not only readers but people who want to achieve a dream to pursue their goals and rise to the challenges they present. The takeaway from Edmundson's book is simple: we can accomplish great things and lead genuinely fulfilling lives if we remain true to our goals and persevere in the face of challenges. Depending on the reader's interests, some might or might not find Edmundson's observations on the value of reading and critical thinking, as well as his conviction that literature can foster empathy, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of the world around us, to be insightful. His thoughts on how education shapes one's identity and values, as well as his advice to students to follow their passions and dreams, may pique the interest of