Voice

Williams’ search for her voice is central to her memoir. The voice for which she searches is not her audible voice but opinions, her way of thinking and her ability to express these opinions. Williams chooses to express her voice through writing. Ironically, it was her mother’s choice not to express her voice through writing that initiated Williams’ search for her own voice. Williams began writing the story of her search for her voice after her mother died. Her mother had left Williams her journals. Williams was saddened and disturbed when she realized her mother’s journals were blank. Connected with Williams’ search for her own voice is her exploration into the meaning of her mother’s blank journals.

Williams intertwines references to a person’s voice and their opinions and stance on life with their audible voice. This is understandable, as a person’s opinions are...