In the excerpt, “Dreams Dissipated” by Mark Twain, one must look closely in order to see the author’s main argument. This excerpt describes the events before and after the 1865 San Francisco earthquake, and under more scrutiny, its citizenry. Throughout his work, Mark Twain implements several examples of strategies such as loaded diction, imagery, personification and use of litotes in order to reveal that during these times of trouble, a facade had dissipated along with the earthquake, one where it revealed the citizens true identity; a deplorable one.
It is critical to keep in mind the time period and authors background when analyzing diction used in Mark Twain’s, “DREAM Dissipated”. This work was written during a time period in American
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history dubbed “The Gilded Age”, gilded meaning something covered in gold yet not so entirely inside, and when applied to the time period, meant seeing vast improvements in things such as inventions and corporations, yet if one were to delve deeper, would find something less pleasant, such as corruption, hence the name. Several loaded examples of diction were found throughout the work when describing the earthquake such as “enjoyed”, “terrific”and when describing inanimate objects, “spring”, “sprawling” and “vomiting” were used. Twain describes what happens during the earthquake, such as buildings toppling over, yet has an implied deeper meaning. The author has been known for works that reveal or even expose information about certain people, and this work is no exception. Twain actually critiques and possibly exposes a facade that has been constructed by many people in society, which like mentioned before, is a common theme that translates to the name of this work. When using those words mentioned above, it is an example of personification, yet when describing people, uses words such as “pouring” and “wedged” which in turn, would be used to describe inanimate objects. This leads the audience to perceive feelings of disdain from the author, for inanimate objects are deemed more worthy of certain titles than the people he exposes and labels as possibly fake, which would make sense when considering the time period and author. For example, when writing about a minister during the three waves felt during the earthquake, Twain writes that, “He then skipped out at the back door”. In many cultures, those who practice and preach religion are deemed to be more morally righteous, yet with the example given, Twain reveals the minister a hypocrite, for before having said this he exclaimed, “There is no better place to die than this”. With this being said, Twain demonstrates how hypocritical the minister is, for even he does not believe his own words he said, choosing to write “skipped” to drive the point home, to paint the minister as a hypocrite. This is one example of using negatively charged words to criticize people in society and the facades put up during this time period, hence the name of the work. With the author’s disdain towards those who put on a facade, the title seems fitting for it is the very thing that he chooses to criticize in this piece. When describing the earthquake Twain experiences, he uses examples of imagery in order to reinforce that the front created by many in society had crumbled along with the earthquake, reavling those exposed as reprehensible.
One example may be when describing when “ Prominent citizens who were supposed to keep Sabbath strictly, rushed out of saloons in their shirt sleeves, with billiard cues in their hands. Dozens of men with necks swathed in napkins, rushed from barber-shops, lathered to the eyes..” In the example, it appeals to one’s visual sense, for one can imagine the men bustling out into the street, the shaving cream cut by their sweat as they try to escape from any danger. When reading what occurs, one can easily visualize it , and by doing so, demonstrates how it is an example of imagery, but if one where to look closely, Twain describes how one example of how a facade is dissolved with the earthquake. With Twain’s argument in mind and when applied to this above example, one can see how by describing certain events, Twain also reveals facades exposed and therefore, he discreetly inserts his argument, for it is never explicitly said.. This meaning, Twain “decorates” the story with imagery such as “raising dust like a great volume of smoke” in order to imply the argument. Like from the example mentioned earlier, Twain used this scene to also describe “prominent citizens” pouring out from saloons as well, and uses the example as a continuation, when if one were to look closer, can see Twain’s argument. By using examples of imagery, Twain also inserts his argument as well, yet does not explicitly acknowledge
it. When reading “ DREAMS Dissipated”, one rhetorical device used by Twain is personification. Personification means giving inanimate objects human like traits. For example, in this work, when Twain describes chaos following after the earthquakes occurs, he describes houses/buildings “vomiting” out people into the street, something an inanimate object can not, only a human. In this work, Twain criticizes people who had put on a facade, one where they are to be seen on a higher social status and wealthier, and is destroyed along with the earthquake. When applied to the example above, Twain seems to hint at his disdain towards any subjects mentioned by using negative characteristics whenever mentioning them. Another rhetorical device seen used is litotes. When describing certain scenes, Twain makes use of litotes with examples such as “..the injury to it was wide-spread and somewhat serious,” and “Such another destruction of mantel ornaments and toilets bottles as the earthquake created, San Francisco never saw before,”. When applied to what is happening, the first example, one can assume physical damage and human fatalities were widespread after the earthquake, yet with Twain using that particular statement, it is a understatement. Generally, when authors use examples of litotes, they use examples in order to add emphasis to their ideas, which in this case, Twain argues the earthquake had disspated a deplorable facade fabricated by the subjects mentioned. In the example first mentioned, Twain seems to clearly communicate his indifference to the physical damage, and implies his true purpose, to reveal what the eaerthquake really left behind; a broken illusion.
Imagery is one of the components that were used by Edwards to make his story more persuasive. As the short story begins, the first sentence was an example of imagery. Edwards wrote when men are on Gods hands and they could fall to hell. natural men are held in the hands of God, over the pit of hell Knowing that you might fall into hell at any moment should scare you. God decided to save you until he wants to let you fall into an eternity of burning flames. Another example of imagery is when he talks abo...
Imagery is when the author presents a mental image through descriptive words. One prime example of imagery that the author uses is in paragraph 3; where she tells of a moment between a man and a woman. In this narration she states the time, year, outfit of each character described, and what the female character was doing. These details might come across as irrelevant, or unnecessary, but this is Didions way of showing what the blueprint of notebook it. Using imagery reinforces the foundation of the essay, and what the essay’s mission was.
“The Convergence of the Twain” is a nonlinear retelling of the Titanic disaster of 1912; however, on a deeper level, the poem explores hubris, downfall, and how fate connects hubris to downfall. Through tone, diction and juxtaposition, the speaker describes the sinking of the Titanic as inevitable and necessary.
Twain uses a series of similes to describe what he witnessed during the earthquake. Although Twain is mostly criticizing the actions of people, he describes the city briefly. For example, Twain says, “...and then drop the end of a brick on the floor like a tooth.” and “...meeting earth like a slender grave.” Twain uses these similes to add a sense of horror and imagery for the reader. It emphasizes the destruction of the city and the intensity of the earthquake. Twain's’ similes are not subtle rather they are very intense to truly help the reader see the destruction and really understand why he is connecting it what he is comparing it to. The similes make sense, they may be simple, but the context
One of the literary techniques most prominently featured throughout the passage would be that of imagery. The author takes great care to interweave sentences comparing the traits
My first example of imagery within the text we have read in class is the Odysseus’ bow. The bow is a symbol of power. For example, Penelope prepares a mission in which the man who can string the bow and shoot an arrow
Imagery is the use of symbols to convey an idea or to create a specific atmosphere for the audience. Shakespeare uses imagery in Macbeth often, the most prevalent one, is blood. I believe he uses this as a way to convey guilt, murder, betrayal, treachery and evil, and to symbolize forewarning of events.
In the first paragraph, Twain utilizes figurative diction in order to create a romanticized tone. Twain exploits metaphors and similes
In doing so, Twain created a personal connection by implementing first person in the piece, used oxymoronic adjectives to demonstrate the disarray, and consistently contrasted the geometrical destruction with the “living” city. Conversely to London’s essay, Twain utilized first person, especially when describing the early stages of the earthquake. This perspective allowed Twain to reference the distraught nature of others in the city by comparing it to his own state. In the opening line of his piece, Twain wrote, “When I was in San Francisco…” and also provides other examples, although they occurred in the first paragraph. Because he used this tactic, he criticizes the vulnerability of others in his same situation. In and of itself, Twain created a comparison to his state of mind and that of others. Another syntactical anomaly in his piece was the consistent use of oxymoronic adjectives. For example, “I enjoyed my first earthquake,” and “Of the wonders wrought by ‘the great earthquake’” both demonstrate Twain using adjectives which would generally be considered undescriptive of the situation. Similar to the examples of the clothing designer running naked in the street, or the priest fleeing from the church in fear of his life, these instances show parallelism with the overarching idea of
Imagery is seen through Hosseini’s usage of analogies especially when he writes “Suddenly you’re breathing through a drinking straw ”(121) is one such instance of imagery. Readers would have experienced this feeling and know how difficult it is to draw in a full breath of air through a drinking straw. It shows how Amir’s breathing is constricted and tight, but does it in a very skillful way instead of just saying that Amir could not breathe. Another analogy is “...a dam has cracked open and a flood of cold sweat spills, drenches your body” (121). A concrete dam cracks after pressure has been put on it for a long time, and Hosseini makes it a symbol of Amir’s mind cracking under the pressure. Amir has so much guilt and fear hanging over him that being stuck in the dark “cracks” him. Darkness is a place filled with sin, and the dam releases all the demons contained within him. These analogies add depth to the writing and allow the readers to relate to Amir’s condition. Hosseini used these analogies to help the readers clearly visualize the panic attack and better understand what was
In the article “The San Francisco Earthquake” written by Mark Twain, is written to talk about an earthquake that occurred. Author Twain uses humor to highlight his purpose throughout the article. “The San Francisco Earthquake” written Jack London, ( a different article) writes about a different earthquake that struck the earth. Author London uses The descriptive detail to describe the city dying throughout the piece. Twain and London both write about the subject of an earthquake Although, Twain uses humor to show society flaws and people’s reactions, while London uses vigorous detail to explain the falling and death of the city itself.
The passage quickly shifted focus from the earthquake detail to society's reaction. In the first paragraph he mainly wrote what he saw at the time of the event, by the second paragraph he's noting that the citizens are behaving barbaric and chaotic. "...The public streets in all sorts of queer apparel, and some without any at all." He continues to show the foolish behavior throughout the rest of the passage. He told what he saw. London wrote his passage in chronological order to give cause and effect. He states the time and day before going into hefty detail of defeat. Showing the death of San Francisco in phases. Thirty seconds to live. Twain mentions "wave shocks" emphasizing the timeliness of the quake itself- thirty seconds. In his last few paragraphs he emphasizes the entire city falling apart. An Oakland minister of a quickly deteriorating church tells the people of San Francisco " 'Keep your seats! There is no better place to die than this'- And added, after the third: 'but outside is good enough!' Twain uses this as closure from the earthquake, after such a defeat there's was nothing else to do. London takes advantage again with his chronological organization to portray the metaphor that the city of San Francisco is dying. He first hints this in paragraph two; the focus on this paragraph is the smoke that was left to linger in the city after disaster struck. "Within an hour after
The story Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe has a lot of imagery in it. Imagery was a big part of the story. The imagery used enhanced the mood and setting of it.
Imagery consists of the use of symbols to convey an idea or to create a specific atmosphere. Shakespeare uses imagery in Macbeth often; pathetic fallacy, blood, tailoring and sleep are examples of this. His use of these tools in the play is to demonstrate the sadness of Scotland at what has been done, the guilt of the characters and to symbolises premonition of events.
In Khaled Hosseini's book The Kite Runner, the significant use of Amir's dreams is evident in how they are used to convey what is going on consciously and subconsciously with the main character and his character development throughout the book. The author puts the main dreams right before or after a fundamental point in the book like before Hassan gets raped, before Amir fights Assef and leave with Sohrab, and then after his big redemption and finally getting to take Sohrab somewhere good.