I recently read an essay by Cristina Nehring about how the American essay as a writing form has declined in recent years. She argues that essays used to be vibrant, showing the true opinion of the author. Frequently, they were political in nature, well thought out, and not merely regurgitations of talking heads. They strove to make a salient point.
This same author whined that today’s essays are essentially diary notes (my words, not hers). She claimed that most contemporary essays merely detail personal experiences with no universal value or interest. I can see her point. However, as a devotee of the essay I would suggest that there is a new form for it that has arisen in the past ten years. It is the personal essay, ‘personal’ being the operative word here.
I have written personal essays for almost fifteen years; some have been published in authoritative press, others are in my book of essays. So I feel I am justified in taking a position regarding this form of writing.
Essays, personal or otherwise, are composed of the author’s personal experiences. They can be political in nature, but they need not be. They become valuable when those experiences resonate with readers, whether it’s a political discussion or merely the description of a Christmas tree.
In my work, I try to use a personal situation to expose a universal truth. Or at least make the reader feel as if he or she is connected. It doesn’t always work, but that’s my goal. So the essay as a literary form is a great way to communicate. It reaches out; it begs for acceptance; it understands. I hope Ms. Nehring will reconsider her position.
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