Figurative Language In Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings 'The Yearling'

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Pulitzer Prizes are given to those who have created masterpiece writings. The Pulitzer Prize for the novel category is awarded to the novel that best achieves the following: superb syntax, first-class figurative language, and superlative sensory details. In 1939, a novel titled The Yearling, composed by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, would be awarded such an esteemed prize for having satisfied these three important components. Rawlings’ story remains engaging as the writing professionally follows the action with every word. The words then amplify the symbols created throughout the story, keeping them mystical. And with that, every scene is build upon fascinating details that assist in constructing the setting and the emotions within it. Rawlings’ …show more content…

One example of this outperforming syntax is located in paragraph one of page six, where she is describing the seemingly endless motion of a flutter mill. “Up, over, down, up, over, down—the flutter mill was enchanting.” The unending, repetitive motion is shown through the words for they mimic this repetitive motion and are perpetual. The syntax lives the action instead of only telling of it. A unpretentious enduring, eternal motion becomes wondrous and tangible. Continuing onwards to the paragraph just after, Rawlings would slickly use syntax to show the main character, Jody, slowly slide into a deep, slumbering sleep. “He watched the fluttermail indolently…. Drops of silver slipping from the wheel blurred…. He sank into the softness, the blue, white-tufted sky closed over him. He slept.” The presentation of falling asleep is expertly crafted to show a slow drifting to a sudden slumber. From tremendously long to surprisingly short, the varying lengths of sentences tell the time for actions to occur. Where excessive amounts of details are given, the action slows and becomes sluggish, simulating the eternity it takes for Jody to fall asleep. At the end, though, the meticulous details are broken and a short but sweet, two-worded sentence appears showing the swiftness for Jody to finally pass-out, asleep. Moving later into the novel, we find Jody with a fawn caught in a brutal storm. Seeking shelter, Jody attempts to access his house through the kitchen door, but finds it latched shut. It is not until his mother comes and unlatches it that he and the fawn are able to get inside. “The fawn bounded close behind him. The kitchen door was latched.… For a moment he thought he was unheard in the tumult and that he and the fawn would be left outside to drown, like biddies. Then Penny lifted the latch…. Jody and the fawn darted inside. Jody stood gasping.”

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