Alexie's analogy of a paragraph to a fence in his writing serves to illustrate the dual concepts of enclosure and release. The analogy suggests that a paragraph, like a fence, serves as a boundary or structure that contains and organizes ideas within a confined space.
By comparing a paragraph to a fence, Alexie highlights the idea that just as a fence encloses a specific area, a paragraph encloses a specific set of thoughts or concepts. This analogy emphasizes the importance of structure and organization in writing, as a well-crafted paragraph helps to establish coherence and clarity.
Furthermore, Alexie expands on the idea of "enclosure and release" when he references "doors" in both the fourth and eighth paragraphs. The mention of doors within the context of the analogy suggests that paragraphs, like doors, serve as entry points or portals that allow the reader to access new ideas or information. Just as a door can be opened to provide release from one space into another, a well-written paragraph can guide the reader through the text, offering opportunities for exploration and understanding.
In the fourth paragraph, Alexie writes, "The door opens and you step inside," suggesting that a new paragraph presents an opportunity for the reader to enter a new realm of thought or experience. In the eighth paragraph, he states, "The door is the beginning of the paragraph," further emphasizing the role of the door as an introduction or starting point for each paragraph.
In summary, Alexie's analogy of a paragraph to a fence underscores the ideas of enclosure and release, emphasizing the importance of structure and organization in writing. The mention of doors within the analogy further expands on this concept, highlighting the role of paragraphs as entry points that guide the reader through the text.