Ambiguity In Frank Sinatra's Gum By Kelly Simon

“Frank Sinatra’s Gum”, a memoir by Kelly Simon, tells the story of searching for herself against the peer pressure at the junior high age. Self-identification and individuality is dramatized prior, during, and after Simon meets the famous Frank Sinatra. As society is trying to shape her life, she is fighting back by keeping her mind open to gain her locus of identity. Prior to the interview with Frank Sinatra, Simon is facing ambiguity in the search for her identity. From the beginning, it becomes clear that Simon desires to fit in but she is still left in question about Frank Sinatra. Simon, “…pretended to swoon at the mention of his name…” (Simon 1). She did this with hopes of being accepted by the society around her. She soon admitted

Quickly, Simon is left in disbelief. She is about to have the chance of a life time, an interview with the famous Frank Sinatra. Simon writes with an excited tone as comments about Sinatra grinning at her writing, “…Frankie, the Voice, the crooner, was grinning at me!” (Simon 2). However, soon after, Simon has a self-realization moment when she her expatiations soon turn into reality. She waited, “…for her knees to grow weak, but nothing happened” (Simon 2). Even though her expectations are not met, she keeps her hopes up. While conducting her interview she is obsessed with his mouth. This obsession is displayed through imagery and the continuing elongated pace. The use of visual, tactical, and gustatory imagery is all incorporated into the elongated description of his mouth. As Frankie slowly puts the piece of Juicy Fruit gum into his mouth, Simon takes time to describe the mouth as, “…almost colored teeth…” and, “…the pink wetness of his cheeks” (Simon 2). Simon becomes mesmerized, comparing herself to the moronic sheep. Frankie interrupts her memorization and Simon begins her three questions. However, the questions she presents Sinatra with are not typical questions expected from a teenager. The trifling questions that Simon inquires, leaves Sinatra defensive and appalled. When questioned about his involvement in a gang, he became astounded and paused, only to respond, “’That was a long time ago’” (Simon 3). The answers to these untypical questions and her self-realization moment leave Simon facing ambiguity upon her view of Sinatra and the acceptance that accompanies