Outside Reading Blog #2

The kiss went on, small moaning sounds coming from them and his hand slipped inside her robe. I closed my eyes against the sight. But, astonished, still saw them clutching each other, having forgotten that my eyelids, too, were in the fade, and could not prevent me from seeing.

This passage not only shows a great example of the voice of the author, it also gives the reader a sense of the style, diction, and narration of the story itself. It is a reflection of the overall plot, and the author's depiction of the ordeals that happen regularly in society. Written in first person, reading Fade let's you experience the feelings and emotions of the main character, Paul, and you are able to understand the trauma that he feels when he sees things that are never meant to be seen. The voice of the author in this case is extremely similar to the voice of the character due to the fact that it is written in first person. Robert Cormier's tone of voice is very serious in matter, containing little to no humor, and reflects strictly on many issues in society. The passage above describes the love-making scene of two twin siblings, under the watch of Paul, under the effects of the fade (invisibility), while witnessing this unforgettable moment. The author wants to bring to our attention the many hidden problems that escape our notice, just to let us know that somewhere out there, something like this could be happening.

Cormier's diction of Fade also seems matter of factly, straightforward, and material-like. Unlike some writers who fill their stories with flowery words and phrases that most people can't understand (not unlike Thoreau), Cormier has the ability to tell a compelling story that makes you feel emotional and deep by using simple english. His diction is simple, but it still gives you a lot to think about when you read it. His voice and style of writing gives people a realistic and true sense of the world and shows how many things which are not revealed to the public still happen privately and behind closed doors. Cormier gives people a sense of awareness, and implies to the world that we need to stop turning a blind eye to reality. This one author is truly a genius, able to enlighten us to the things that we tend to ignore in our community.