T.C. Boyle's "The Love of My Life"

      This short-story really exhibits a good way to address social/political issues without 'preaching' to the readers.  T.C. Boyle addresses the hypocrisy of today's modern society: people look down on those who get pregnant/have children while they are young and in school, yet they do not prevent themselves from getting into the same reckless or careless situation. Boyle goes on to address the issue of abortion, abandonment, and murder - examining whether or not the law should be involved in such personal issues - and just looking at extreme situations that people get themselves into. Also, it seems like Boyle might be using China's name and her abandonment of her newborn baby to commentate on China's (the country) laws on population control. Overall, I felt like Boyle examined these issues tastefully so that I never felt like I was being preached at and being told a 'right' point of view to believe in. Instead I was interested in the story and was provoked to think about these things, but on my own terms. And this is something I would like to do in my writing, because making a reader think about what they believe about a certain issue adds an extra dynamic and depth to whatever story is being told.