"Objects of Affection" by Ewa Hryniewicz-Yarbrough

     Ewa Gronkiewicz-Yarbrough writes about the importance of finding sentimental value in family heirlooms and everyday possessions.  Ewa grew up in Poland in the 1950’s, when communism was responsible for shortages of practically everything in the country.  The author explains that her possessiveness, appreciation, and sentimentality for everyday objects have a direct connection to her childhood lifestyle in Poland.  Ewa also makes a point of comparing herself to her grandmother, who would never replace her furniture or any other household objects.  Ewa moved to America in the 1980’s, and saw many differences in Americans’ behavior towards possessions.  The author’s purpose is to show the readers the importance of finding value in possessions in order to feel a sense of security and permanence.  Ewa writes this essay for those who don’t place sentimental value on their possessions, in hopes to open their eyes to a new perspective.

      I believe that the author accomplishes this purpose because of her use of juxtaposition.  Ewa uses the juxtaposition of Polish and American norms when she writes, “ Other necessities were so hard to get that serpentine lines formed in front of the stores before daylight. A few days after I arrived in the United States, a friend took me to a supermarket on Long Island where she lived… I kept watching people piling item after item into their shopping carts until they looked like elaborate pyramids,” (Hryniewicz-Yarbrough para. 8).  By comparing the lifestyles of the Polish and the Americans, Ewa shows the reader how people may take things for granted.  The author tries to get the reader to understand the reasons behind her sentimentality with objects.  Ewa also uses pathos to accomplish her purpose when she writes, “But with many objects I felt as if I had opened a sluice gate: I was flooded by memories. And once that happened, I knew I had to keep those items, no matter how trifling they would seem to someone else.” (Hryniewicz-Yarbrough para.16)  Many can relate to the feeling of going through old photos or mementos and finding emotional value in those experiences.  Ewa tries to get the reader to feel this attachment to personal objects in order to achieve her purpose.  These two rhetoric devices ultimately help her reach the readers and communicate her purpose to them.

Leverett Family Heirloom
There’s always more to an object than meets the eye.

Picture by Morgan Leverett