Lydia's Story

1. Brideau's main point is that in the face of unfair odds hope and determination are the most important things. It is indicated in the last sentence when Brideau says, "it represents the essence of hope and determination in the face of terrible adversity".

2. The primary point of view is in first person although it will switch to a more third person style of view when Brideau analyzes what Lydia has said. This style makes it feel as if you are Brideau being told the story by Lydia, allowing you to become emotionally involved, and also permits Brideau to give a deeper analysis of the theme present in her story so that the reader can understand the significance of hope and determination in our lives.

3. Brideau makes the story come alive by showing how Lydia is not a special case but just an average person that we can relate to. She does this by using simple words and phrases that convey emotions directly such as "terrified of drowning" and "she was in trouble". Brideau also made use of surreal descriptions to make a story grounded in reality feel more fantastic with phrases such as "she was unable to shut the door against the brown rushing water" and "the whole street looked like a river, and water poured in".

4. The audience would be other health care workers. Brideau uses a very sympathetic and persuading tone, most likely to sway the readers to want to help Katrina survivors. This is apparent in lines such as "she had to leave nursing because she cried over her patients' conditions to much". The purpose of this line is to make Lydia seem reletable so the health care workers reading can connect to her plight and feel sympathetic towards all Katrina survivors. The phrase is also included to make Katrina survivors seem like very compassionate people, a character trait most likely valued by those reading a journal about morals in medicine.