Sarah Manguso’s 300 Arguments is an extremely thought-provoking, yet concise collection of essays. Through a series of brief, evocative meditations, Manguso dissects a range of topics – from relationships, love, and loss to translation, death, and the passages of life. Deeply inquisitive, yet simultaneously accessible and approachable, these essays are sure to challenge and stimulate your imagination.
Manguso's essays present an eclectic array of concepts, ideas, and themes. In "A Better Way to Write About Writing," for example, she reflects on how one's writing can evolve over time. She states, “I won’t be able to do this same thing again; I was late to the party that first time, and I’ll keep arriving too late. But I can become more fluent, I can learn the moves—not with words but with rhythm, structure, ethos.” Here, Manguso is exploring the enormity of the challenge of writing and the pain of constantly feeling like one has missed the opportunity to write something “great”.
In "Taxidermy," Manguso muses on a decidedly morbid topic: the use of taxidermy, the craft of preserving and mounting the hide or body of dead animals. Despite the notion of taxidermy as ghoulish and macabre, Manguso looks at it in a different light. She states, “Sometimes, in death, we are saying “yes” to life in a way beyond our comprehension. We have no choice but to become part of the landscape in which we’re already embedded.” By focusing on the idea that we are always a part of a larger, interconnected world, Manguso communicates a powerful message about our interconnectedness.
Manguso’s writing is also deeply emotive in essays such as "On Human Error." This essay centers on a woman's near-death experience and explores the idea that mistakes may in fact be deliberate. Manguso writes, “We make our mistakes on purpose, as though actions that cause us to suffer are the only way we can be sure we exist.” She goes on to ask, “Is this why people take so many needless risks, putting themselves in danger?” Here, Manguso touches on the tricky subject of risk-taking and how it can ultimately feed into a feeling of self-validation.
In her exploration of love, Manguso’s essays capture the profound relationship between fear and hope. In “Call You By Your Name,” Manguso examines this connection and reflects on how we can reconcile the two sides of love. She states, “Love both is and is not hope: a shimmering background against which the darker colors of fear and dread stand out.” Through this quote, Manguso is emphasizing the importance of recognizing and embracing the good and the bad of love.
Whether discussing profound themes such as grief or writing deeply reflective pieces about the interconnectedness of life, Manguso's writing in 300 Arguments is both powerful and thought-provoking. Not only does she share her personal insights, but she also invites readers to explore their own thoughts and feelings about the topics she writes about. Therefore, if you’re looking for a vibrant and engaging collection of essays that challenge and stimulate the imagination, 300 Arguments by Sarah Manguso is a must-read.
