Short Days

I like this essay. Although it is a series of aphorisms, we can find a connection between them. Sarah Manguso uses these aphorisms together to tell a story. I think she starts out the essay the way she did to explain her decision to write this essay the way she did. "A great photographer insists on writing novels..."  "...So when people tell me to write this or that thing I don't want to write, I know what they mean." She is making her case in passage for writing an essay the way she wants to write it. The way she feels most comfortable. 

"When I run out of things to write I just kindle a little flame inside my chest and let it burn a little more of my anger, which is inexhaustible. Would you like me better if I lied and called it love?" Who is she talking to? Who is the "you"?

In this aphorism I believe she is referring to the people who read her writing. The you in this passage would by you, me or anyone else who reads her writing. She starts to refer to this in the prior passage when she talks about the types of writing that we like. 

She is also describing her creative process.in this passage which then continues on to the next passage where she talks about the accumulation of her writing. 

My favorite aphorism in this essay is on page 47. "What's worse: Offending someone or lying to someone? Saying something stupid when it's your turn, or not saying anything? Tell me which, and I'll tell you your sex."  It is just an interesting comment. It is also a very generalized comment about the mindset of males as apposed to that of a female. She follows up this passage with an aphorism that speaks of the problems with making generalizations.