"She Didn't Mean to Do It" by Daisy Fried

Daisy Fried discreetly brings the plight of temptation into light through the use of repetition and parallel structure and an admonishing tone. Fried seeks to admonish perpetual temptation and a lack of control over one's actions by illustrating a woman who insubstantially regrets her actions. Fried illustrates her beliefs through her literary devices, as she begins "Oh, she was sad, oh, she was sad." She seeks to overemphasize the woman's regret, as she again paints the picture of a woman regretful of her past actions. Fried makes it seem as though the woman is self-chastising, as she repeats her dismissal of "certain thrills" through the use of parallel structure. Fried returns repetition at the end by repeating how "sad, sad" she is, although this is likely for naught, as she must continuously mention how she did not mean to do it. Her overemphasis conveys a lackluster apology, as although she may not have meant to do it, she will likely do it again.