In the reading titled “Closing Doors” by Gavin Rember, the author recounts his childhood experiences with the Denver Department of Social Services. Rember uses vivid descriptions to convey the harsh reality he faced during that period. Due to financial struggles, Rember and his single mother had to constantly move from one house to another. The building that housed the Denver Department of Social Services became a symbol of their impoverished lifestyle. However, as Rember was able to leave his troubled past behind and achieve stability in his life, his feelings towards the building changed when he revisited it and felt less hatred towards it.
The reading provides rich details that allow the reader to visualize the challenges faced. Rember begins the essay with three vivid descriptions: “A lonely child screams for her mother. A couple bickers in Spanish; the woman begins to sob. I sit in silence, trying to drown out the noise.” (Page 142, 1st paragraph) These images place the reader in the room, surrounded by various details, and enable them to imagine what it feels like to be inside the welfare office. The office’s interior reflects the struggle and instability that each family is experiencing. Rember further explains the dilapidated state of the office: “The waiting area was filthy, unorganized, and overcrowded. Plastic chairs awaited the welfare-hopefuls, after they took a number.” (Page 143, 3rd paragraph) This room, worn down like its inhabitants, serves as a powerful symbol of the unforgettable hardship Rember endured. These images of the office are deeply ingrained in his memory as a representation of the difficulties he faced.
