Critique on Rickel

The literature in Rickel’s piece, “Pass” from Taboo, expresses a pleasingly descriptive memoir of a calm, yet edgy short autobiography of Boyer Rickel. A personal image of his life is carefully described in the comprehensive memoir, dating back to his birth in 1951 in the beautiful city of Tempe, Arizona. It was quite fascinating to read another’s work that was born in the same hometown that I was. The sophistication of Rickel’s composition automatically engaged my attention to the point of view he takes. The detail that he uses in his piece really inspires me to use more detail when I write. His edgy style is unlike any other memoir I have read before, with balanced explanation of his feelings, followed by deep and detailed observations that he makes about people near them. Rickel makes it clear to his audience that he is observing other men’s masculinity traits, by hanging out at where most men go to during the time of day when they thrive most, trying to find a sense of his own masculinity. For example, at Ray’s barbershop, he Rickel expresses his feelings by dreading to go into a barbershop that depicts a sausage fest with no women whatsoever. Another central location was at the men’s showers after practice in when he attended high school. The awareness of his surroundings connects the remarks of other men, relevant or not, to his overall deep observation. The point of view that the author uses is very effective choice considering the story that is being told in his writing. Rickel’s transitions between paragraphs flow very smooth; in fact, when he suggests that years pass—the maturity level of his vocabulary is very much appropriate. Rickel’s routines growing up remind me of my own self and the way that I tend to process particular observations in my head. The point of view that is illustrated through this young boy, who is adapting and maturing to the world around him, creates a sense of certainty for Rickel. Even fear gave Rickel reason for excitement when he wasn’t so certain of the situation that he was getting himself into. For example, when Ray’s barbershop transformed to a place where he couldn’t observe in a deep context as he used to, he started to take his people watching skills to the Q Club down the street. Thirty-two years after Rickel was born, I entered the world in to the town of the Tempe, Arizona; yet, the geography of the town that the author describes is completely different from when I grew up. I find it so appealing that when Rickel grew up, Tempe was a small spread out town with only one store for every need. Remembering back to when I grew up, the development in Tempe was much less than what it looks like today. It was incredible how strongly I was able to relate to this piece, I literally could put myself into Rickel’s shoes and flashback to when I use to venture on errands with my mother and father to places like “Ray’s”. I remember going through similar times feeling almost identical emotions and feelings that Rickel expressed in his work. Growing up three decades after where this story takes place makes me realize how times really do change, especially geographically. However, I believe that the way young male adults think and react are very similar to each other no matter what era one is from, especially in a time where masculinity is constantly being proven to other males. In conclusion, Boyer Rickel has inspired me to realize that an average male from Tempe, Arizona, can publish and create great poems, books, and other great pieces of writing that creates remarkable idiosyncratic individuality. This critique has allowed me to see the overall picture of the authors view; in which, I was able to connect even closer with the uncommon structure and main point of his views as a sneaky observer. I believe Boyer Rickel passed as he intended to at the conclusion of his essay; as a frozen soul, he did the right things at the right times to get what he needed to see from other men that would automatically consider his acts unacceptable.