Representation of Women In 'AHBWOSG' Notes -

• 'She is a vase, a doll. A giant vase. A giant fruit. A prize winning vegetable.' p32-

Mother considered precious and fragile contrasting the way other women are portrayed throughout the book. Noun prize shows Dave recognizes her being alive as a reward.

• 'I expected someone so normal and sweet-looking to find me out soon enough' p38-

Quote shows that Dave recognizes  his many personality flaws and in turn has very low self esteem, especially when it is to do with relationships. Verb expected links to 'I expected flirting' showing how Eggers has a pre set idea of how situations will go for him.

• 'The nurses will clean my mother when we are not in the room or awake' p42-

This quote may reflect Dave's lack of trust in women. The imperative 'will' emphasizes Dave's paranoia and certainty something he doesn't want to happen will happen.

• 'I do not know how to interact with the mothers. Am I them?' p57-

May reflect Dave's lack of interaction with women leading to this lack of confidence. The use of the interrogative also reflects his realization that hes taken on the mother role for Toph.

• 'The woman was not wearing any rings. I wondered if we could all move in together' p74-

This quote reflects Dave's want for a mother figure for Toph, shows how every women he sees he considers as a mother. The use of the declarative 'all move in together' shows the lack of consideration for what the woman wants.

• 'She is still sitting down, head in her knees' p150-

Viewed as weak and cowardly, adjective still gives of the sense that Dave wants her to do something.

• '"Okay" she says, and I wonder if this will help my chances with her' p177-

Simple sign of acceptance by woman is taken with sexual connotations as is a theme throughout the book. 

P166 - P182 Notes-

• 'We're all lying' - Shows he believes that no one else is different.
• 'We recognize so much that it is maddeningly familiar' - Recognition of dysfunctional family
• 'Everyone's seen the show' - Links back to 'everyone knows' emphasises lack of privacy and security
• 'Randy Stickrod (Real Name) - Shows immaturity
• 'We must look like the perfect cross section of young america!' - Shows how much he wants the magazine to be successful and also emphasises his want for acceptance.
• 'What better metaphor for our endeavor' - Signs that magazine is taking over his life, changing what he views as important, completely detached from how traumatic his parents deaths were as he thinks it may bring him success.

Essay on the theme of 'home' -
Throughout 'A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius' it is shown that there is a lack of homeliness in the house which Eggers was raised, this is shown in a number of ways for example, on page 1 Eggers gives the audience there initial view on the house by saying 'the house is a factory'. This being in the lexical field of smoke, pollution and disorganization immediately shows the audience that it is an unpleasant place to live. Also the noun 'house' gives off a sense of detachment in contrast to the noun 'home' which gives off more of a sense of sanctuary as apposed to being related to simply a building.

Eggers also backs up that the house is an unpleasant place to live on the next page where he explains his mothers current situation and how she is bedridden 'She could not get up to check' this once again emphasizes how depressing it is in the house. The use of the declarative in this text also may represent how Dave is uncomfortable talking about it and would prefer to move on.

Finally on page 14 Eggers speaks about his abnormal fantasies of murdering and torturing people who walk by there house 'I have plans for them', this could reflects Daves lack of security and privacy he feels in his house due to his paranoia of what others think of his mothers illness. The noun plan emphasizes how long and hard Dave has thought about this possibly showing he has never felt safe and secure in his own home, or at least hasn't for a long time.