How could Margot have predicted landing in hell? Lucky to survive a horrific accident that killed her family, Margot is left with the torture of her dreams, waking up screaming every night. Taken in by the Suttons with debt to her father, Margot is asked to become a companion to their 17 year old daughter, Agatha. The complex plot of the book captivates readers with its masterful weaving of suspense and dread, gradually revealing spine-chilling horrors that showcase the true power and impact of a truly exceptional piece of literature. The Companion by Katie Alexander is an engrossing novel, building on imagery and power with figurative language, character development and background, as well as the expansion of plot further enhancing interest of readers. The …show more content…
By diving into the background, emotions, and problems of each character, the reader gains a better understanding of their perspectives and actions, making the narrative more engaging and addictive. Additionally, well-developed characterization allows for readers to become emotionally invested in the characters' journeys, leading to a greater sense of empathy and connection. In the book, “She looked over at me silently through owlish, indifferent eyes. I felt almost as if we were in a staring contest, but apparently that was just me, because a few seconds later she shifted her blank contemplation to the door of the small cabinet behind me”(Alender). Margot can tell that there is something more to Agatha, and now so can the readers. Overall, the art of characterization is a powerful tool that adds layers of complication and meaning to books, making them more memorable and impactful in the minds of readers. The plot development of books plays a crucial role in captivating readers and engaging them in the story from start to finish. As the book continues, more questions are asked and mysteries
What form of figurative language does the author use in line 5 of page 212 to make his writing more interesting?
“A book may be compared to the life of your neighbor. If it be good, it cannot last too long; if bad, you cannot get rid of it too early.” - Henry Brooke. This quote mimics Mark Aiello’s poem, comparing the first chapter of a book to someone’s childhood, or first chapter of life. Also like the quote, his poem explains how the first chapter of a book is very pleasurable, but it does not last long until the disturbing plot comes into play. Mark Aiello’s poem, “Chapter One”, is very literally about the first chapter of a novel. Furthermore, Aiello’s use of figurative language allows the reader to interpret the poem in numerous ways beyond the main idea. While analyzing the poem, the reader is permitted to compare the first chapter of a book to
The title of the short story, “Four Directions” is symbolic for Waverly’s inner misconceptions. As she goes about her life, she is pulled in different ways by her past and her present. She is torn between her Chinese heritage and her American life. She never thought that instead of being pulled in four directions, she could take all of her differences and combine them. In the end she realizes this with the help of her mother. “The three of us, leaving our differences behind...moving West to reach East” (184), thought Waverly. Her whole life she misconceived her mother’s intentions. Lindo never wanted Waverly to solely focus on her Chinese heritage, but rather combine it with her new American ways. The idea of being pulled in four
In the novel, “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien, he describes parts of his war experiences through the stories told throughout the book. O’Brien discusses the gory detailed chaos of the Vietnam war and his fellow “soldiers.” As O’Brien gives detail of the his “fictional” experiences, he explains why he joined the war. He also describes a time where his “character” wanted to escape a draft to Canada.
Richard Wilbur's use of imagery and extended metaphor in "The Writer" help to reveal the that an individual may run into obstacles, but perseverance will help them reach past them.
Characterization: Her character becomes very confident and self-forgiving as shown from this passage. What she used to do was only because she was trying to recover from her deceased husband.
A Pulitzer Prize is an award for an achievement in American journalism, literature, or music. Paul Gigot, chairman of the Pulitzer Prize board, described the award as a “proud and robust tradition”. How does one carry on this robust tradition? By mastery of skilled writing technique, one can be considered for the awarding of this prize. Since its creation in 1917, 13 have been awarded annually, one of which, in 1939, was given to Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings for her novel, The Yearling. Rawlings is an American author from Florida known for writing rural themed novels. Consequently, The Yearling is about a boy living on a farm who adopts an orphaned fawn. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings procured a prestigious Pulitzer Prize for her effectual use of figurative language, sensory details, and syntax.
During World War II, countless Japanese Canadians, and Americans, were relocated to internment camps out of fear of where their loyalties would lie. Because of this, those people were stricken from their homes and had their lives altered forever. Joy Kogawa’s Obasan highlights this traumatic event. In this excerpt, Kogawa uses shifts in point of view and style to depict her complex attitude and perception of the past.
In “Queens, 1963”, the speaker narrates to her audience her observations that she has collected from living in her neighborhood located in Queens, New York in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement. The narrator is a thirteen-year-old female immigrant who moved from the Dominican Republic to America with her family. As she reflects on her past year of living in America, she reveals a superb understanding of the reasons why the people in her neighborhood act the way they do towards other neighbors. In “Queens, 1963” by Julia Alvarez, the poet utilizes diction, figurative language, and irony to effectively display to the readers that segregation is a strong part of the American melting pot.
There are several times in life where people have to be determined to surmount their challenge. Paying the monthly rent, trying to get a promotion, or shooting the game winner to win the finals or to get in the playoffs. There are some downfalls from being determined, but being determined is a crucial character trait that people need. That's why being determined is a common theme in writings. Common themes are explored in literature because they can be explained in different ways of forms, and there the most important lessons to learn. Nobody wants to read a book with an unnecessary and unsatisfying life lesson since they are common they are used more than once.
Displaying one's emotions in public is often not planned nor wanted especially when it comes to crying due to humiliation and shame. In the short story “Eleven” by Sandra Cisneros, literary terms such as simile, diction, and repetition are utilized in characterizing emotional “eleven” year old Rachel. The figurative language used, support the images that were intended for the reader to perceive. Diction and repetition help guide the audience with a certain point of view towards the characters. Not only does Cisneros exploit these literary terms to explain and characterize Rachel's feelings but to exhibit how one may not always have the courage, personal strength, or maturity to handle certain situations.
In this poem called “Creatures” by the author Billy Collins there are three examples of figurative language helps convey the meaning that the author Billy Collins is conveying. The three examples of figurative language that the author Billy Collins uses are a metaphor, enjambment, and imagery. These three examples of figurative language help illustrate Billy Collins” theme in this poem called “Creatures” that he is writing because these three examples of figurative language help emphasize the theme of the poem. These three examples help emphasize this poem called “Creatures” meaning because it makes the theme of this poem have a deeper meaning. The theme of the author Billy Collins poem called “Creatures” is that the reader has to imagine
Tatiana de Rosnay used different literary tools to assist her writing in order to deepen the story, including figurative language, dramatic irony, and foreshadowing. The use of figurative language helps to clarify a description in order to place an image in the mind of the reader. Similes are the main type of figurative language used throughout Sarah’s Key, allowing the reader to see what is happening. Many images conjured up make comparisons as a child would make them, as much of the story concerns the innocence of a child, such as “[t]he oversized radiators were black with dirt, as scaly as a reptile” (Rosnay 10) and “[t]he bathtub has claws” (Rosnay 11). Other descriptions compare Sarah, and Zoe, to a puppy, a symbol of innocence, as children are known to be
In “A Good Man is Hard to Find” by O’Connor Figurative language is used often by the characters, especially the grandmother who manipulates, which in return, leads to the families murder. In the short story the author gives small details of almost every character. When the author describes the mother’s face, she uses a simile writing, whose face is broad and innocent as a cabbage(pg 296). On the family drive, the author uses imagery to describes the beauty of the families surrounding using words like brilliant red and green lace-work that makes the drive seem relaxing.The author’s use of informal diction helps dictate the calmness of the events. I believe these calming words are the way the author is portraying the calm before the storm. What
The point of view in The Murder on the Orient Express is third-person omniscient, which is crucial to the book. The reader can see an example when Christie first introduces Mrs. Debenham. Christie tells all about Mrs. Debenham’s adventure up until that point and also gives a brief description of her thoughts and feelings about Hercule (Christie 6). Christie does not, however, reveal any of Mrs. Debenhams involvement in the murder. Knowing the thoughts of the characters is very important in keeping the reader interested and trying to figure out the murder without giving away. Critics supports this idea by saying, although the thoughts and feelings of all characters are given, the restricted information Christie leaves out, gives the readers a dramatic effect ("Murder on the Orient" 152). Christie’s style in The Murder on the Orient Express also included some stereotyping of individuals on the train. This stereotyping was shown when it was decided that the stab wounds seemed to be inflicted by a woman based on the lack of intensity (Christie 56). Another place stereotyping was concerned was when Antonio was suspected solely based on his Italian nationality (Christie 122). The stereotyping Christie includes in her book shows importance to the plot by distracting the readers from more valid evidence. This distraction is another tactic used to keep the reader intrigued in the story. Greg Wilson comments about Christie’s insensitive remarks and says she might use these shallow, stereotypical comments about the characters as a crucial part of the murder plot ("Murder on the Orient" 155). The author’s style draws the reader in by utilizing distracting elements to elude them from the