I don’t think the last name being omitted should in any way hinder what people think about the story, however should be taking her privacy into consideration. The last name not being a part of the story did not take me away from what I thought about the story and or take me away from the character herself. When someone is allowing you to tell their story and something their still trying to figure out and having to share that with the world, you then fall into a compromise with that person’s life, they gave a hand in showing their self therefore you don’t take an arm. Showing every single bit of who she is I think it just snatches her identity from her.
I am actually glad the story ran as long as it did, it let me into her world and after every part I just wanted to read more. I was dreaded the story ending, every part just left you wanting to know what was next and brought you to a place of thought with not only her but other homeless people.
The extent of the story did not have to be known upfront and that was the beauty of the story. As you read the story it gives you hint as to what time of the year it is. It went from the first day of school, to christmas, to birthdays.
I think because she did her research before hand she did not focus on the general story, although it is not every homeless persons story it just goes to shows how bad things really are when your homeless. The only problem is not only having a home but the circumstances you have to settle for and the constant daily struggles day to day. The story is about Dasani but for example the conditions of the homeless shelter is not something only she had to deal with but every other homeless person in the shelter or the day to day dangerous situations.
Relying on the single story is what built the interest in the story, if it was a general article I wouldn’t have been as glued to the story as I was.
I like your comment on the way the author followed the change in seasons, the holidays, the passage of time.