Composition

The article “The Truth About Cocoons” by Sam Anderson reflects on life during the mandatory quarantines caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It does so by comparing this new reality to the cocoons which caterpillars are confined to before they turn into butterflies. 

Due to the word “truth”, the headline of the article suggests that Anderson is going to reveal new information that might challenge the readers’ ideas about cocoons. The title does not give away that this article is in fact about the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The truth which Anderson explains to his readers is that cocoons are not always places for positive transformation and improvement as people tend to see them, but places for suffering and pain. However, progress is still possible. This is in reality the hopeful message of the article: Something good can come out of the current pand...