TOW #20: IRB - "Hole In My Life" by Jack Gantos

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 Jack Gantos is a true example of the power of learning from one's previous mistakes. In his memoir, Hole In My Life, Gantos writes about his life before, in, and after prison. With his use of colloquialism, humor, and personal experiences, Gantos teaches the reader the importance of optimism, perseverance, and recovering from what one believes to be rock-bottom. Hole In My Life is not simply a memoir, but the writing of one's life experiences about mistakes, redemption, and courage.

Gantos's use of humor and colloquialism is a perfect combination for teaching the reader about perseverance and redemption; these two devices, used together, allow Gantos to share his life story in a way that is entertaining and enlightening. By using colloquialism, Gantos successfully reaches to his audience; his tone, which is created from colloquialism, is informal and his use of humor displays Gantos in an honest light. Presenting himself in an informal way to the audience, Gantos is able to connect with the reader on a more personal level and educate the reader about the importance of optimism, redemption, and perseverance in a way that is neither boring nor too commanding. The presentation of Gantos, by himself, is more casual and relate-able to the audience. Therefore, it is easier for the author to relay his dark and heavy memories in prison. The memoir itself, with its humor and colloquialism, is an example of finding the good and being optimistic in times of depression and defeat. His true meaning is captured when Gantos writes, "I made a lot of mistakes, and went to jail, but I wasn't on the road to ruin like everyone said. While I was locked up, I pulled myself together and made some good decisions" (8). His humor and colloquialism is straight-forward and shows Gantos's ability to redeem himself and persevere.

In addition, Gantos's usage of personal experiences allows Gantos to have credibility in the message he is trying to share to the reader. From the very beginning, Jack Gantos begins by describing his mug shot in prison. By immediately delving into his personal experiences, whether it be describing the time of being kicked out of the Bacon family's house or the decisions he makes to enter the drug selling business with Tim Scanlon, the personal story of Jack Gantos is an example of the significance of learning from one's mistakes and redeeming oneself. The honest personal thoughts of Gantos, such as when he believed that he had nothing in common with the four prisoners who visited his high school, along with his personal experiences allows Gantos to achieve both ethos and pathos to help achieve his purpose.

From the first half of his memoir, Jack Gantos already starts educating the reader about the importance of optimism, perseverance, and redemption. By using humor, colloquialism, and personal experiences, Gantos displays his true nature; along with his hopes and dreams, he acknowledges and recognizes his mistakes and flaws. Through humor, colloquialism, and personal experiences Gantos successfully achieves his purpose and, through his writing, shows bravery and courage by the sharing of his personal struggles.