This work explores the use of gossip and the meaning behind it. Kathleen Norris uses the stories from the town to build grounds for her argument on gossip. As a writer, she finds that gossip can be positive and negative, depending on who uses the gossip and for what reason. Her main idea can to narrowed down to the principle point that "gossip is essentially democratic" Therefore, coming to the realization that it is part of free speech and gossip will happen regardless.
"Gossip can provide comic relief for people under tension"Norris states within the essay, but how can it when it also can cause so much hurt. Norris feels that gossip can strengthen communal bonds, therefore allowing people to use this as a way to communicate with each other. .
Kathleen Norris finds that gossip is a helpful thing; it gives her material on which to write and express her belief and emotion. In my opinion I felt that she never once criticizes the people who she spoke about in the essay. Rather, she tells them, however interesting they may seem to us the readers, regardless of their issues. Without expressing her opinion, Norris is actually creating very small stories about people she knows and connecting them together to create a larger story built around the theme of gossip. .
Norris tries to make her readers understand how gossip takes various forms; it could be bad or good, even therapeutic. At one point she uses theology to translate gossip into experience. Overall, she feels that it is good and give forth much to help people express themselves. .
Gossip could be seen as a technique that people use to try and understand the situation they are speaking about. It can also be misuse to spread the misfortune of others. I feel that gossip that can benefit others not to make mistake are worthy of being spread. Norris adds that this is a "morally instructive method used by many, even monks that live in deserts".
