Television: Lydia Davis

        The success of Lydia Davis's short short story, Television, definitely lies in her ability to relate to her audience.  I was surprised to find the details mentioned - watching TV until you feel like you can sleep, becoming emotionally invested in people you don't even know, etc. - described my relationship with TV exactly, and I can only assume that many other readers share this common relationship.  What really makes this short story powerful to the reader, if anyone had a similar reaction to mine, was that I was slightly appalled at myself once I realized just how much TV impacts my emotions and how much it's involved in my everyday routine.  And I think that was probably Davis's intention - to make the reader aware of their somewhat ridiculous attachment to something that isn't even real. 

      I felt this short story was also really strong and effective stylistically.  Numbering the three sections was an interesting way to divide the piece, especially because without the numbers I wouldn't necessarily notice a distinct difference between each section.  I personally would be interested in writing a piece using that kind of stylistic effect - incorporating lists or numbered sections to mix things up with some post-modernism.  Beyond the numbering, Davis uses a lot of short, sometimes one-sentence, paragraphs that get the point across in a more direct, powerful way than if they were all strung together.  I enjoy writing in short direct sentences myself because I feel it really adds a distinct tone to a piece.  

      Ultimately, Davis successfully relates to her audience through a topic focusing on a common aspect of household life and revealing just how much TVs effect our lives, while also employing interesting and effective  stylistic elements.