TOW 4 - Solo: A Memoir of Hope (pt. 1)

Simply understanding the meaning of this autobiography’s title establishes the author’s credibility. Especially after making it to the world cup in 2011, Hope Solo is a name recognized across the world: it is associated with success, perseverance, ferocity, and, of course, soccer. Just by reading the book cover the reader can identify the book with victory and inspiration. Though an audience of soccer players will instantly relate to this book, Solo’s life story appeals to everyone who has overcome monumental obstacles in their past. And so, the purpose of Solo’s autobiography is to encourage her readers to persevere through tough times because it does get better. Usually I would personally regard this message as a cliché, but Solo embodies it in her book in a very engaging manner. By extending on her unusual and somewhat tragic childhood, she increases the book’s emotional appeal. The audience sympathizes with her homeless father, her emotionally abusive brother, and her struggle to find herself. Solo used interestingly villainzed anyone who combatted her. She slandered her former coach Greg Ryan quite a bit, and despite of the term’s usual negativity, it seems justified because of how she portrayed the situation. Solo took control of the situation by stating all of the facts, and perhaps slightly manipulating them in her favor. This tactic was much more effective than one would think by tapping into the reader’s emotions and by seeming rational in general. By citing specific dates, people, feelings, etcetera, Solo adds a timeline to her story that allows her audience to understand the book a little bit more. Additionally, referring back to events previously mentioned and relating them to the present tense, Solo’s justifies her fears and her actions and connects the two. Solo’s autobiography, or an autobiography in general, is a compilation of anecdotes; but Hope goes a step further by connecting them to her present and by expressing her to desire to learn from the past. I think that this is what makes Solo’s book and purpose more effective.

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