Under The Influence By Scott Sanders Summary

Ishan Jain
Mrs. Roberts
English Pd. 1
1/6/23

As Virginia Woolf once said, “You cannot find peace by avoiding life”(Woolf). Avoidance is something that many people find alluring, but it consistently works against one's efforts to advance both mentally and physically. Instead of shying away from discomfort, embracing challenging literature can be a valuable tool for personal growth. Therefore, reading uncomfortable literature might help students gain crucial social and emotional skills. Also, it might inspire students to consider their opinions, past experiences, and biases. By exposing students to uncomfortable literature, we can foster their intellectual and emotional growth and equip them to be active and responsible citizens. Yet avoiding

In "Under the Influence," Scott Russell Sanders delves into his complicated relationship with his alcoholic father. Sanders displays the struggles of growing up in a household affected by alcohol addiction. He reflects on his childhood, how it affected him as an adult, and how he copes with it. For example, when visiting his father as an adult, “Like a child again, I pretended not to see him in his stupor, and behind my phony smile I grieved”(Sanders). Sanders' use of avoidance as a coping mechanism is a relatable response to difficult family dynamics. However, as Smith highlights in her piece "Avoidance: The Band-Aid Solution to Long-Term Problems," this type of avoidance ultimately hinders progress in resolving the underlying issues (Smith) In terms of literature that addresses uncomfortable topics, exposing students to works like "Under the Influence" serves a vital purpose. It helps them understand and relate to the characters and equips them with the tools to navigate and address challenging issues in their own lives. Despite initial appearances, reading banned books is not detrimental to a student's well-being. Rather it broadens their perspective, exposes them to different ideas, and empowers them to make informed