The Effects of Literacy in Annie Dillard's "American Childhood"

Annie Dillard's memoir, An American Childhood, details the author's growing up years and gives the reader many insights into herself. Dillard describes many of the things that molded her during her childhood years, including family, humor, nature, drawing, and sports. At various times during her childhood, Dillard's entire world revolves around one or another of these interests, and each of them shape her personality. Although Dillard's many passions influence her life incredibly, it is reading, …

…often opened through reading. Many of her defining qualities, including her love for art, nature, and writing, are derived from her passionate hours of reading as a child. When it comes to the endless undiscovered knowledge trapped within the pages of books, Dillard recognizes that, "The sky [is] the limit" (149). The education she finds in books create qualities in Dillard that cause her to be the enthusiastic, curious, naturalistic, writing adult that she is today.