Free Papers, written by Daniel J Wideman started off somewhat repetitive, constantly rephrasing and reiterating the homonym “justice” and “just us.” While in the beginning I was a little flustered at how slow the essay was, I later on learned how important and well needed the repetition of “justice” and “just us” was. Wideman’s use of vivid language and diction really contribute to his way of conveying the need to provide awareness. Wideman highlights the importance of awareness through several personal examples throughout his essay.
Wideman uses his coach, Mr. S, and the homonym interment and internment to show how his coaches past has been pushed away in a corner like the small photograph has also been pushed away in the corner in the small section of the museum, which ironically has been placed on an Indian reservation pushed away from civilization and somewhat forgotten.
This piece is not necessarily directed towards one group of people, nor is it necessarily directed to everyone. It is primarily to serve awareness to those who are unaware of the crippling “territor[ies] of silence” (Wideman 179) that we leave out.
Overall, the constant use of justice and just us throughout the essay serves to teach the reader that the homonym can be read differently to many different people depending on what they interpret the meaning to be.
