Native Speaker

Writing is a form of communication that symbolizes the theme of language and communication. Henry must deliver analytical reports on his subjects, written reports of the facts that surround them so that someone else can interpret implied ethical breaches. Though Henry feels anxious about his spoken communication, through writing these reports he feels confident and clear. But his written reports are just another layer of his many aliases. These reports are a product of his efforts at assimilation and obedience to white institutions. When Henry feels most confident, his writing is good, but when he feels lost in his subject, his writing takes on too many narrative flourishes, a form of overcompensating. These reports are juxtaposed with Henry’s internal voice, which is full of metaphors and deep connections. It is one of his only forms of communication with his boss, which means that writing is a symbolic dissonance between Henry and the seedier reality of his job, one that he prefers to ignore. Lelia writes, too. She wrote poetry and essays when she and Henry first met but drifted away from writing as she became more involved with her career and family. Lelia always wishes to return to writing, but she does not. Her list is an example of the damaging power of writing. Even though she regrets having given it to Henry, he has already copied and internalized it. For Lelia, writing is a weapon and a symbol of her lost identity.