Writing sample for Just Kids Essay from Patti Smith's memoir.

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Angela Romero-Monsalve
English 414
Nancy Sours
2012
Metamorphosis: A Transformation From Book Caterpillar to Rock Star Butterfly
The memoirJust Kids,is morethan Patti Smith’s narrativeof her life as a suburban
teenager and as a bohemian artist in New York City; it’s an elegy to a knight that paves
theroad towards her destiny of becoming a revered artist and rock star, “the artist of
[her]life” (53),RobertMapplethorpe. Alienated by the machinelike workingconditions at a
factory, stigmatized by getting pregnant out-of-wedlock and giving her baby away, and
expelled from a teacher’s college, Smithdecides to moveto New York to start a new life,
liberating herself from the suburban confines of southern New Jersey. In New York City,
she meets several important people; however, no onehasa more pivotal role than Robert
Mapplethorpe. His varied roles—from cultivator of her confidence, to catalystof her work,
finally and more importantly to a devotee of hers, Mapplethorpe orchestrates her life in a
manner, which results in her stellar career as an artist.
Throughout their relationship, Mapplethorpe is a continuous driving force,
cultivating Smith’sconfidence and assisting in her journey from insecure teenager
toconfident woman. Self-esteem is the main pillar of confidence, and it’s central to
people’slives because it’s directly related to the amount and scale of their
accomplishments. People with low self-esteem don’t pursue challenging activities because
they are afraid of failure. On the other hand, those with high self-esteem believe they can
successfully complete challenges, so they attempt them more often. When Smithmeets

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Mapplethorpe, she is depressed and has ashattered self-esteem as a result ofthe emotional
and physical wounds inflicted by her out-of-wedlock pregnancy. She confides in
Mapplethorpe and “through his support [she] is able to conquer [her] deep self-
consciousness.” (43)He is patient, caring, and understanding of her condition where most
people are not.
Mapplethorpe’s confidence-building force is evident throughout their relationship.
Before Smith is recognized as a talented artist, she doesn’t believe in herself, often saying
that there is “no proof that [she] has the stuff to be an artist.”(11) However,
Mapplethorpeconvinces her that she istalented and that they will “make it, with or without
the rest of the world.”(53)He does not just promise wonders to Smith, but he is actively
engaged in her artistic development. For instance, she develops a strong confidence by
reading to him as he listens toher during theirnightly rituals. As a result, she is able to
perform at poetry readings that propel her career forward, such as the St. Mark’s Church
reading.Throughout their relationship,Mapplethorpe tenderly heals the wounds inflicted
upon her by unforgiving teenage years while plowing the soil that enablesSmith to bloom
as a mature, confident woman.
A central pillar of their relationship is their mutual pursuit of artistic endeavors.
Mapplethorpehas profound catalytic effect by channeling her disorganizedartistic efforts.
For example,he is focused and goal oriented, determined to make it as a successful artist,
whereas Smithis disorganized and chaotic,procrastinating in the ebb and flow of artistic
creativity, frequently reaching a creative wall. While their approach to art is dichotomous
in nature, they always find common ground on which to flourish. Without Mapplethorpe,
she complains about not being able to finish her work, claiming that her room mirrors the

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“bright mess of [her] interior world.” (155) Onthe contrary, after creating art with
Mapplethorpe, sheremarks,“his ability to concentrate forlong periods infected me.” (65)
This bond of mutual admiration and respect weaves itself into their life, strengthening
throughout the duration of their relationship. For instance, when Mapplethorpeisclose to
death, she notes that their later photographs are“more intimate, for they spoke of nothing
but of [their] common trust.”(223)By creating art together, they not only strengthen
theirbond of friendship and trust, but also develop a mutual appreciation and admiration
for each other’s work. In addition, their relationship extends beyond their home, and it was
then, were opportunities present to Smith.
Smithreaches her destiny as a result of innumerable social interactions forged by,
and in part through,Mapplethorpe’s networking efforts. Since Mapplethorpeis determined
to become successful, he knows that befriending other artists and celebrities and
socializingwith the cream of society willhelp them advance their artistic pursuits. Smith, on
the other hand, enjoys staying at home reading literature and creating poetry. Despite
Smith’s “introverted bouts” (65), Mapplethorpe decides to frequent Max’s Kansas City, a
club at the hub of New York’s artistic life, where Andy Warhol’s social sphere gravitates.At
first,Smithdoesn’t want to go to Max’s because she feels awkward and out of place, but
then, she stops being “so judgmental and gets in to the swing of things.”(123)When they
“graduate to the back room”(125), they gain access to the most influential artists of their
era, which isMapplethorpe’s goal. In fact, several individualsthey meet at Max’s have a
significant effect on their lives. For example, Mapplethorpe is invited to the premiere of
Trash at the Factory where Smith meets Gregory Corso, one of the beat poets.Corso,who
eventually mentorsSmith, gives her a “list of books to read” while “encouraging and

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challenging [her].”(138)Smith, being an introvert, would never have met several influential
people who changed her life,if it hadn’t been for Mapplethorpe’s effort to extend their
social circle.
Beyond paving social roads, Mapplethorpeserves as an architect of Smith’s life,
carefully designing and orchestrating pivotal events that result in her being a successful
rock star and illustrious poet. She is timid in exposing herpoetry to the world, often saying
to him, “you hearing me. That’ is enough for me”. (162)However, Mapplethorpe makes her
promise that she will do a poetry reading. He asksGerard Malanga, a coveted and influential
poet of the era, if Smith can open for him at the St. Mark’s Churchreading, a highly sought-
afterliterary event even for accomplished poets. The crème de la crème of New York’s
artistic sceneattends,fromAndy Warhol, to Lou Reed, to Gregory Corso. After Smith’s shock-
laden,nevertheless successful, electric guitar and poetry performance, she is “bombarded
with steaming offers” (182), ranging from record proposalsto publishing contractsto acting
performances. Pondering her life, sheadmits, thatMapplethorpe has “plans for himself but
for [her] as well”(127) and that he “is the one that [gets] things done”(127) because he has“
the drive and focus.”(127) While this is not the only performance Mapplethorpe
orchestrates, it is the onethat redefines her as a groundbreaking artist, putting her on the
map while openinga portal of opportunities.
Throughouttheir relationship, they refine and broaden the concept of love, from
lovers, to brother and sister, to “indefinable devotion” (200) to each other.Mapplethorpe’s
influence permeates all levels of Smith’s self, from the profound, such ascultivating her
confidence, to the materialistic, such as financing her artistic pursuits.In concert, it is his
devotion and love, for Mapplethorpe always says that he “saw in [her] more than [she]

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could see in [herself]”(192), that provideSmith with a stable platform on which to succeed.
He finances her first album “Hey Joe”(243), which has a B-side, “Piss Factory.”
(243)Mapplethorpe rescues “Piss Factory”(243)from Smith’s trashed room, thinking it isan
outstanding poem. Literally, if it were not for him, this album would have never been
recorded. Moreover, this album leads to a series of events that culminate in
Smithperforming at CBGB, a show thatBob Dylan attends. After the show,Smithponders
how she “ finally felt [her] own worth…[she] had become fully [herself].”(248) This event
symbolizes the culmination of her metamorphosis not only because it marks her initiation
as a rock star, but more importantly because she is finally able have confidence in herself
and to see what other people have seen in her all along—her sheer talent.
In essence, Mapplethorpeis anarchitect, carefully designing Smith’s path, aligning
the dominoes of her life--grooming her confidence, strengthening her conviction in her art,
orchestrating events,widening their social circle, and above all devoting himself to her.
Waiting beside her and having precisely aligned the pieces, Mapplethorpe urges Smith to
topple the first domino, setting off a chain reaction of events that allows her amazing
destiny tounfold.
Angela Romero
@AngelaLRomero
linkd.in/HHe3ld
madamecroquette.wordpress.com