Why Be Happy When You Could B e Normal ?

1. Why Be Happy WhenYouCouldBe Normal? By Jeanette Winterson

2. Whatis the book? • Itproposes some themesofOranges Are Not The OnlyFruit(1985) • Itis a memoir focus on the writer’s feelings and behaviours in particularmomentsofher life • Memoir eachchapterof the book notchronologicallylinkedwith the others Feelingsrule in the book, nottime

3. Structureof the book • Title • Imageof a child Jeanette Winterson • Dedication • Tributes • 15 chapters

4. Title • WhybeHappyWhenYouCould Be Normal • Twoimportantwordswithinit: “happy” and “normal” The themeofescapingfrom the life imposedbyother people( e.g. Mrs Winterson’s evangelicalpentecostal life) The importantthemeof the ethernalpursuingofhappiness

5. Dedication • Dedicationtothreemothers: • Constance Winterson, adoptivemother • Ruth Rendell, literarymother • Ann S., biologicalmother Functionof the dedication: make the readerunderstand people whohavecontributedtoform Jeanette’s mind and personality

6. Tributes • Theirfunctiontothank people whoneverabandoned the writer and help hertofind the veryhappiness • Susie Orbach: Jeanette’s girfriendsincewhen the writerfoundheradoptionpapers in the effectsofherdad • Paul Sharer: tracerof Jeanette’s family tree

7. Organizationof the 15 chapters • The mainstructureof the book ischronologicallyorganised Chapter 1, The Wrong Crib( crib = costola) idea ofcomingto the world Last chapter, Coda toconvey a senseofconclusion Betweenthem: chaptersorganisedfollowing the writer’s emotions and considerations

8. First chapter • Presentationof the crucialthemesof the book pursuingofhappiness, relationshipwriter – adoptivemother, lesbianism, searchof the biologicalmother • Introductionto Mrs Winterson, a verystrangewoman—>a revolver in the dusterdrawer, waitingforArmageddon • First featuresof Jeanette’s teenage nature alwaysrefusedtobe friend ofsomeone shehadanimaginary friend

9. Secondchapter • Description of Manchester, where the writer was born • Contradictions within the city capitalism massive spread between rich and poor people • Description of jobs of her biological family and adoptive one( with their living conditions and lifestyle) • Last pages—> the them of pursuing the happiness The city ofManchester

10. Personal Conclusions • The book is the story of a life’s work tofindhappiness • Literature can be a usefulmeanto help uswhenwe are sick and withouthopesfor the future • The pursuingofhappinesssometimesimpliestobeconsideredunnormalbycertain people whatreallymeansistoreachhappiness

11. Work by Nicola Buccolo