The White Album

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The White Album

by Joan Didion

Joan Didion's The White Album is a literary essay that relates events of Didion's life in the 1960s. Although she does not make it clear in these excerpts, Didion was at the time working as a journalist, placing stories in Life, Esquire, The Saturday Evening Post, The New York Times and The New York Review of Books. In addition to describing her own psychological difficulties, Didion tells colorful tales about radical Black Panther Party meetings, drug experiences, recording sessions with famous rock bands and followers of Charles Manson.

Example on top of Example. My primary interest in these excerpts is that in them Didion uses an extraordinary amount of Exemplification. Her method of development is to pile up large numbers of examples, often using repetitive language to heighten the effect of adding sticks to a pile. or bricks to a stack, or cards to a deck (just to use three examples of my own!).

How do you feel about her technique? Is it effective in communicating the reality of her place and time? Do you get a clear sense of what she's experienced by considering her examples? Does she use examples to convince you of anything, or merely to entertain and inform you?

I've used subtitles to identify the different sections of Didion's essay. They are my own titles, not hers.

Don't worry about commenting about all three excerpts. Start with whichever one interests you.

Three of the Four Doors.

On this evening in 1968 they were gathered together in uneasy symbiosis to make their third album, and the studio was too cold and the lights were too bright and there were masses of wires and banks of the ominous blinking electronic circuitry with which musicians live so easily. There were three of the four Doors. There was a bass player borrowed from a band called Clear Light. There were the producer and the engineer and the road manager and a couple of girls and a Siberian husky named Nikki with one gray eye and one gold. There were paper bags half filled with hard-boiled eggs and chicken livers and cheeseburgers and empty bottles of apple juice and California rose. There was everything and everybody The Doors needed to cut the rest of this third album except one thing, the fourth Door, the lead singer, Jim Morrison, a 24-year-old graduate of UCLA who wore black vinyl pants and no underwear and tended to suggest some range of the possible just beyond a suicide pact. It was Morrison who had described The Doors as "erotic politicians." It was Morrison who had defined the group's interests as "anything about revolt, disorder, chaos, about activity that appears to have no meaning." It was Morrison who got arrested in Miami in December of 1967 for giving an "indecent" performance. It was Morrison who wrote most of The Doors' lyrics, the peculiar character of which was to reflect either an ambiguous paranoia or a quite unambiguous insistence upon the love-death as the ultimate high. And it was Morrison who was missing. It was Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger and John Densmore who made The Doors sound the way they sounded, and maybe it was Manzarek and Krieger and DEnsmore who made seventeen out of twenty interviewees on American Bandstand prefer The Doors over all other bands, but it was Morrison who got up there in his black vinyl pants with no underwear and projected the idea, and it was Morrison they were waiting for now.

Click here for a sample of The Doors in a live performance.

The Baby Can Wait

Someone once brought Janis Joplin to a party at my house on Franklin Avenue: she had just done a concert and she wanted brandy-and-Benedictine in a water tumbler. Music people never wanted ordinary drinks. They wanted sake, or champagne cocktails, or tequila neat. Spending time with music people was confusing, and required a more fluid and ultimately a more passive approach than I ever acquired. In the first place, time was never of the essence: we would have dinner at nine unless we had it at eleven-thirty, or we could order in later. We would go down to USC to see the Living Theater if the limo came at the very moment when no one had just made a drink or a cigarette or an arrangement to meet Ultra Violet at the Montecito. In any case David Hockney was coming by. In any case Ultra Violet was not at the Montecito. In any case we would go down to USC and see the Living Theater another night, in New York, or Prague. First we wanted sushi for twenty, steamed clams, vegetable vindaloo and many rum drinks with gardenias for our hair. First, we wanted a table for twelve, fourteen at the most, although there might be six more, or eight more, or eleven more: there would never be one or two more, because music people did not travel in groups of "one" or "two." John and Michelle Phillips, on their way to the hospital for the birth of their daughter Chynna, had the limo detour into Hollywood in order to pick up a friend, Anne Marshall. This incident, which I often embroider in my mind to include an imaginary second detour, to the Luau for gardenias, exactly describes the music business to me.

Story without a Narrative

Once I had a rib broken, and during the few months that it was painful to turn in bed or raise my arms in a swimming pool I had, for the first time, a sharp apprehension of what it would be like to be old. Later I forgot. At some point during the years I am talking about here, after a series of periodic visual disturbances, three electroencephalograms, two complete sets of skull and neck X-rays, one five-hour glucose tolerance test, to electromyelograms, a battery of chemical tests and consultations with two ophthalmologists, one internist and three neurologists, I was told that the disorder was not really in my eyes, but in my central nervous system. I might or might not experience symptoms of neural damage all my life. These symptoms, which might or might not appear, might or might not involve my eyes. They might or might not involve my arms or legs, they might or might not be disabling. Their effects might be lessened by cortisone injections, or they might not. It could not be predicted. The condition had a name, the kind of name usually associated with telethons, but the name meant nothing and the neurologist did not like to use it. The name was multiple sclerosis, but the name had no meaning. This was, the neurologist said, an exclusionary diagnosis, and meant nothing.

I had, at this time, a sharp apprehension not of what it was like to be old but of what it was like to open the door to the stranger and find that the stranger did indeed have the knife. In a few lines of dialogue in a neurologist's office in Beverly Hills, the improbable had become the probable, the norm: things which happened only to other people could in fact happen to me. I could be struck by lightning, could dare to eat a peach and be poisoned by cyanide in the stone. The startling fact was this: my body was offering a precise physiological equivalent to what had been going on in my mind. "Lead a simple life," the neurologist advised. "Not that it makes any difference we know about." In other words it was another story without a narrative.

Comments (Show all 43)

Thank you for your frankness, Clara. I'm certainly not disappointed in you, if that's what you mean. You have no obligation to enjoy the readings. I'm disappointed that this one doesn't interest you because I enjoy sharing interesting readings that motivate students to read beyond the mere requirements of the class. But the fault is not in you.

As for your descriptions of the three excerpts, while they do all come from the same book, in fact the same long essay, they're not closely connected, so I'm not surprised you find them a bit "scattered" and lacking one clear concept. They are samples of writing that uses much exemplification. They're probably more interesting to Americans who lived through the 60s than to youngsters like you who grew up elsewhere! In a way, they feel like ancient history to me too. Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for your early contribution.

I agree with Clara, probably we have been indulged by fiction stories so far, or probably this essay is about American live style which are not too familiar for us.

My approximation about this essay, in the firs paragraph, Didion wrote about how important role Morrison for the Doors by giving the example of his role such as "it was Morrison who wrote most of the Door's lyric ", "...who had defined the group's interests as 'anything about revolt, disorder,chaos...'", ...who had described the Doors as 'erotic politicians'".

In the second paragraph, Didion wrote about the musicians lifestyle, there many samples about what they (musicians) like to drink, smoking, foods.

Except their (the Doors) live style Didion described, I can not feel/not informed enough that the background is 1960s (probably I do not know about American live style in 60's, so I can not feel it).

In fact, I see different opinion from my parteners.I feel obout her technique, it is very interesting because she uses indirect way to express her opinion.Of course,this technique comes from real life.
I follow your recommendation professor, and I focus on second pragraph.
First, I asked myself what the relationship between the title and the body of the pragraph? I did not find any relationship between them! whereis it the example?
One more reading and a little focus ,suddenely, I saw a wonderful example in front of me, and then I realized, she is a good writing.
She would like to say,musicians people love their jobs more than having a family!!!

She says that music people love drinking, traveling, eating, and concering to make friends.These are important issues for them after that they think having a family, that is very clear in the title "The
Baby can Wait."
The last three lines express that idea very clearly,during thier way to the hospital for the birth, they want to pick up a friend firest. Any reader asks himself or herself which one is important going to the hospital or picking up a friend? That is agod example shows that the personal life for music people is more important from anything else!

I wish to express my idea clearly, and this is one of things what you want professor!

You have expressed your impressive opinion very clearly, Nora! We don't want to judge the Phillipses too harshly, not knowing all the facts, but it does seem possible they placed their baby's life in danger by taking a detour on the way to the hospital. Clearly they placed a very high value on bringing a friend along for the ride! Good for you for finding such a vivid example!

Thank you Professor. I am glad, you are not disapointing about my comment.

Baby Can Wait, this title was not clear before I read to the end. The story didn't start with this topic. It start a musican who wanted drink champagne cocktails at first; then they planned to have diner at 9 o'clock or midnight, how many they wanted to eat, and where they wanted to go, all listed as example. Last at all, the story said that John and Michelle Phillips were on the way of hospital for thie birth of their daughter Chynna. I don't get it why is the birth of Phillips' daughter have relation with the muisc business to him. See last sentence.

Joan Didion is not the type of writer that almost everybody likes. She has a really difficult technique, it is not everybody who can understand and get what she is trying to say. First of all, you have to know about the context; for example, about Jim Morrison to get the details you should know a little bit of his history. To be honest, I had to read three times and I think I got her style; although I could not really understand for sure what she is trying to convince me, in my opinion there are many interpretations of these excerpts. I like when the writer make the readers think and go back to or own knowledge.
I could not really get a clear sense of what she experienced; although she informed me about some things that I didn't know before.
I mean with all this comment that easy essays are good, when you have just to read one time and you can understand everything, make me feel good and clever; although, when I read something as Didion's essays I remind myself how much I still have to learn.

Hey, Mustapha! I think the clue to understanding "Baby Can Wait" is the sentence, "Musicians never wanted ordinary drinks." The paragraph describes through many examples a group of people who consider themselves and their needs pretty special. They don't show a lot of consideration for other people. The pending birth of the baby should be an event of extreme importance, but John and Michelle treat it like another dinner reservation they can change to suit their whims. Does that interpretation seem reasonable?

I am a fan of both as well, Bruna! I like simple stories with obvious characters and logic, but I also like to be challenged to understand more complex meanings. The kind of writing I don't like makes me wonder whether the writer herself has any understanding of her meaning. I would never share that type of writing with you. It's too frustrating. I have faith in Joan Didion. She's not obvious, but she isn't trying to confuse us either. I hope in the end you think it was worthwhile to wrestle with her essay. She does have insights to share.

I had read this story the first day I saw it but I was confuse,and frustrated about what to say until now.The story didn't start with the title Baby Can Wait either,so it not clear at all the writer Joan Didion star the story with musician lifestyle and she used a very difficult technique which made her story to be very difficult to understand.I got a gist of what she was trying to say about how musician prefered their enjoyrable lifestyle than their baby who has been given birth to in the hospital,which I will never do over my dead body.

Hey, WeiWei! I addressed my earlier comment to Mustapha, but it was actually your comment I was replying to when I said: I think the clue to understanding "Baby Can Wait" is the sentence, "Musicians never wanted ordinary drinks." The paragraph describes through many examples a group of people who consider themselves and their needs pretty special. They don't show a lot of consideration for other people. The pending birth of the baby should be an event of extreme importance, but John and Michelle treat it like another dinner reservation they can change to suit their whims. Does that interpretation seem reasonable?

Thank you, Mustapha, for doing your best with this one. It's a real challenge, I know. In an effort to always give you just a little bit more than you can handle, I sometimes miscalculate. This one is probably a lot more than some of you can handle. I'm impressed that you understood the criticism Didion was making in her final sentences. It's subtle, not obvious.

First of all, professor thanks you for your instruction about the whole essay, because the subtitle really made me confusing. However, the subtitle made the short essay clearer. I like Joan’s writing style. When I was reading her story, I felt comfortable. She gave us a lot of example, not a lot of opinion. Those examples made me easier accept her opinions. Maybe some people think her essay merely to inform them, but actually, her opinion have put into her story. Everyone should find it by self.

Good point, Charlotte. I will stop trying to interfere with my interpretation and let everyone draw her own conclusion. I'm glad you liked it.

Elizabeth Luseni left this comment on the Front Page:

Joan Didion is a good writer but there were concerns about her method of presentation. In her writing she used series of repetitions which made the extracts monotonous ,making her work merely entertaining than convicing. Her essay was too detail that she almost drifted from the main idea to uniimportant issue. For example, her description of the hall "There were paper bags half filled with hard-boiled eggs and empty bottle."Joan Didion is a baias writier she pointed out more of Morrison than the other members of the band she talk about his private life to a point that one could suspect hatered for him.

Elizabeth, thank you for leaving a specific and clear evaluation of the reading! I appreciate your point of view. Joan Didion has died, so she will not have to respond to your accusations that she is "merely entertaining" rather than "convincing" and that she drifts "from the main idea to" the "unimportant." I agree with you completely the sentence about hard-boiled eggs and empty juice bottles seemed irrelevant and trivial.

You go on to accuse her of bias, which for most writers would sound like a very serious accusation if you mean she has her mind made up before she investigates a topic. Writers like to be thought of as far and objective. But if you mean she expresses a dislike for a character or a situation, that's nothing a writer would apologize for. Good writers let us know exactly how they feel. Did she dislike Jim Morrison? Maybe. Did she think he was egotistical and self-important? Definitely. I'm proud of you for being so blunt in your assessment of her technique.

This story is confusing in my opinion because the writer always repeated the words again and again. As I can see in the first paragraph, there are a lot of “there was and there were,” “and,” and “it was” which some are unnecessary. By the way, the time of this paragraph is arranged well.

Repeating words, in the second paragraph, make the reader confuse easily. The writer used “in any case” too often. Moreover the writer also used a transition signal “first” again and again. It makes me confuse a lot and seems like I have to start it over every time I see the word “first.”

For the last paragraph, from line 3 to line 8 is one sentence. In my idea, it should be cut down because the sentence looks like an endless sentence. “Might and Might not are used a lot in this paragraph too.

Ps. I am not sure that repeating words on these excerpts are the writer’s technique or not. If it is, I would be wrong to leave comments like that.

Thank you, Kankamol, for your specific critique of this reading. You have accurately identified several of Joan Didion's stylistic quirks. Clearly you are a very attentive reader. I'm amused that in your last sentence you're willing to withdraw all your criticisms if it turns out the quirks are deliberate technique. You're certainly not wrong to object to what you see as an annoying style, whether the author employed it for a reason or not!

In the first excerpt, every time she offers another example of things that "there were," she does so to emphasize the one thing that there "was not": Jim Morrison. In other words, no matter who else or what else was in the studio that day, nothing was going to get done until Morrison arrived.

In the second excerpt, she uses "first" repeatedly to emphasize that before anybody could get their needs met, the musicians' needs would have to be met first. And if anyone objected that always letting the musicians do what the musicians wanted to do was inconvenient, the musicians would offer an explanation for why nobody else's needs were important: because something else important was happening anyway.

The repetitions of "might or might not" express her frustration that no doctor could give her a clear diagnosis. Everything might happen, but then again it might not, and she might be able to avoid problems with certain remedies, but then again maybe not. You'd be frustrated too.

I don't say any of this to excuse Didion for writing as she does. If it annoys you, you have every right to be annoyed. But I can assure you the technique is not accidental. You might say she wants to annoy you, or at least make her writing impossible to ignore.

The first reading is strange, but I liked. Of course is not a conventional story and also, all looks like are disconnect and does not make any sense. I believe this is the author inheritance from her journalism write style.
I loved how she describes the music business, for example. She repeats many words, tell facts and in this way she did a great description about what she intend to write about. Her choices about do a lot of exemplifications sound good to me and I believe it’s what helps her to have a good story and reach her goals.
Details as: “Music people never wanted ordinary drinks. They wanted sake, or champagne cocktails, or tequila neat”; “time was never of the essence” and “on their way to the hospital for the birth of their daughter Chynna, had the limo detour into Hollywood in order to pick up a friend, Anne Marshall”, are perfect choices about what she told us in the begin: “Spending time with music people was confusing”. The exemplifications used by the author make so clear what she wants to mean with “confusing”, for example.
Because is not a conventional reading, I enjoyed more than others and also, I kept my attention all text long without being boring.

That's clever, Ana. Of course, journalism is a different style of writing. Not every journalist uses repetition as much as Didion, but it is common to keep sentences short and declarative, and not to offer a lot of explanation. What you say about her offering examples of confusing behavior is also quite true!

First of all, in the beginning, I did not really understand exemplification essay of "The White Album" excerpt; "Three of the Four Doors," "The Baby Can Wait," and "Story without a Narrative," but after reviewing those three stories, I realized that those excerpts are interesting style of examples. An author Joan Didion used a good exemplification technique. The most interesting excerpt is the "The baby can wait," subject among the three of excerpts.
The excerpt of "The Baby Can Wait," described of musician's life style at the old time with using an example of one of a musician, Janis Joplin (in the story). The main character, Joplin was invited at the one of party place on Franklin Ave house after her concert. She wanted to drink strong alcohol; brandy-and Benedictine in a water tumbler. On this excerpt, "The Baby Can Wait," states, "The Music people never wanted ordinary drinks such as sake, champagne cocktails or tequila neat." They had lived in more liberally free life style than aggressively active life style or scheduled life style instead; for example, "if they wanted a table for twelve, fourteen at the most, although there might be six more" or " John and Michelle Phillips, on their way to the hospital for the birth of their daughter Chynna, had the limo detour into Hollywood in order to pick up a friend, Anne Marshall."

As shown on this excerpt, the author, Joan Didion used a lots of example to describe the story, but she did not give a clear conclusion what was the next happen or what would be next. The excerpt described about reality of musician's life style only not opinion or conclusion.
I now more understand what exemplification essay is.
Thank you Professor Hodges,
Have a good weekend!

You are so right, Clara! A "liberally free life style" is exactly what the author meant to exemplify! Good for you. As you say, she offers no conclusion and cannot indicate what will happen next because her characters act to unpredictably. Well done. As the author says herself (though she doesn't really mean it) all she can do is share "story without narrative."

I like the last one, "The Story Without a Narrative." It have a lot of words that I do not know but I understand almost all the story with only the examples that she gave. Maybe she repeat too much words such as, "might," or, " might not." I really do not understand that technic of repeating words. But I understand the technic of giving examples, a lot of examples to describe something that happened to you.
What I understand about the story was that she feel so bad about all his sicknesses and she is trying to describe all his emotions and feelings with examples.

You're right about that, Philip. I tried in an earlier comment to offer a partial explanation for all the repetitions. I'll leave it up to you to go back and find it if you're interested.

It was very funny to see how confused we all were to read this different writing style !!
I believe that the author writing style was Influenced by those musicians. im a big fan of classic rock, and i know that artistic characters usually Accompanied with a different/unique personalty; therefore, Didion's writing was Influenced too.
the excerpts wasn't very clear but still have one main idea. Many examples (some even Irrelevant ) were written to build the story, to share with the reader the filling of being around those musicians. To emphasize the gap between their character and the "normal" character we all know. On the third excerpt, despite the topic, i think it was a narrative.
The author ( in her special way ) narrate her Hypochondriac thoughts, and use this topic to express the lack of insignificance of those thoughts.
I'm wishing good luck to everyone to the final test on Monday !!!
Enjoy your weekend...

Oh, you are a clever one, Moshe! No doubt you're exactly right that Joan Didion was trying in her writing to mimic and mirror the lifestyle of her subjects! She very much wants her writing to have a special personality here, to give her readers some of the flavor of being in the house with Janis Joplin and her unpredictable friends. You see right through her pretense too, identifying the third excerpt as a Narrative after all. Well done, Moshe.

As always, I am extremely impressed by the quality of your readings and your comments, my friends. I have written your final exam now, which we will all have a chance to experience on Monday. Like everything else I have prepared for you this semester it is challenging but fair. (I know you'll agree with me I've been challenging; I hope you'll agree I've been fair.)

I look forward to reviewing your excellent work one more time!

That is the strongest news in the whole semester!!!!!

Prof. Hodges, after the class done, can we still use Criterion (just to practice by ourselves)? we will move your email address, so the result only come to us.
After the class done, how about the wiki? can we still use the wiki to communicate with other students?
Thank you.

Thank you for your questions, Baby. You can continue to use Criterion AND the wiki until you get tired of them both. I've been using wikis for years, and I don't shut them down ever. I can still go back to classes I taught many semesters ago and find old readings, former students, useful links.

thank you Prof.

Thank you professor for final exam, it was very fair, but I thought, it was going to be hard.
I appreciate your help and effort for this semester.You work hard, and we do too!

Hi Nora,
I did not have a chance to talk to you in the class today, but how is your mother?
As I said earlier, if you need my help, don't be hasitated and ask me, I will help you as much as I can.
Send me e-mail, since we can still use this e-mail.
It was nice to meet you and had a good time with you.
Good luck to you and your mom's surgery. I hope, everything go through smoothly.
You and your mom will be in my prayer.
Take care.-Clara

You're welcome, Nora. Actually, though, this exam was quite difficult for Writing 4. I've had you working so hard you think tough tests are simple! You have no idea how well prepared you are for Writing 5! :)

Thank you Prof. Hodges for your hard work!

You have such a good patience, I never have had before.
I really appreciate and admire for your effort to help and teach me with a big smile all the time.
How do you have a good smile all the time, is that also part of your teaching technique? I never saw you get upset.
I am wondering, if we can ask you for English question, if we have, even though after this summer class is over? If it is not appropriate question for you, then you don't have to answer it.
I have learned a lot in this summer class specially from Wiki reading, although, you had been harshed on us a little bit, but I still enjoyed.
Might be that is why I have gained a lots of English skills or might be not, I can't predict. Of course, "Yes" I just used for exemplification excerpt from Ms. Didion's style at this moment. I am sure, you pushed a little bit, "oh, no," it's a lot, thus, we have learned a lot. I wish, we can continously discuss the Wiki reading essay... I am going to miss it.

Thank you again and good luck to you and your family, Prof. Hodges!

I hope, every one from in this class, " Have a sucessful academic curriculum!"

Thank you so much, Clara. That is all very kind of you. Let me tell you a little secret. I love every minute in the classroom. Smiling is easy and natural when I'm enjoying myself, and your class in particular has been very enjoyable.

Regarding your other question, I will answer you with an example. Just this evening I answered some questions for a former Writing 5 student. Her husband is applying for a medical residency and needed help with his application materials. I helped them get the language right as soon as I finished grading your final exams. It might be hard to find the time to help during a busy semester, Clara, but whenever I can help, I certainly will.

You are very wellcome!
And I thank to you very much too.
I wouldn't bother you too often, just once a while I will bug you, because you said, "Ok"
Now, I have a good back ground for my education. As you said, "I love every minute in the classroom," that's why you were happy and smile all the time?
Wow, I didn't know, we were such an angel, we made you happy. I am just kidding.
Have a good summer and see you at fall.
By the way, if you have a special news or information, could you let me please?
Thank you.

I'll be happy to hear from you any time, Clara!

Thank you so much. It is so nice of you. I think, you were born to be as a teacher for your life.
I am so greatfull, that I have a good support.

Thank you for asking, Clara, my mom is fine now, but I disagree with you in one point, professor Hodges were not born to be as a teacher, he is a wonderful writertoo.
I 'm enjoy for each story, I read it even though I can 't understand some senteces,but I will try.

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