In "The Birthday Party" by Katherine Brush, the author uses literary devices such as imagery, point of view, and mood/tone in order to get her point across and achieve her purpose. These devices drive the story and control the smooth flow of the changing atmosphere in a way that is understandable and flowing. Imagery is everywhere in this short story from the description of the couple, "...self-satisfied face, with glasses on it; the woman was fadingly pretty, in a big hat.", to the description of the entire scene, "It arrived, in the form of a small but glossy birthday cake, with one candle burning in the center." Having these images give the reader a sense of what is going on vividly, as if they were really there witnessing everything first-hand.
The point of view is told from a customer in the restaurant who watches everything take place and unfold in the story and scene. This is important because of instead of knowing on what is going on through the couples minds, the reader has the opportunity to make his/her own assumptions. This adds on to the thrill and suspense of the story. Mood/tone are very effective in the story and is not randomly scattered. The mood/tone affect the atmosphere and can help the reader imagine the feelings going through the narrators mind. For example the story begins with the couple eating and then the wife surprising the husband with cake as the people in the restaurant clap. That is pretty happy and good so far, however things take a turn for the worse when the people can clearly see that he is not pleased. Not the atmosphere is awkward. In addition, the narrator notices the man threatening the wife and she begins to cry. The entire story changed from a happy pleasant theme, to an awkward heart-breaking one. These are just a few ways in which the author uses literary devices such as imagery, point of view, and mood/tone in effecting the atmosphere in order to get her point across to the audience. These devices helped all events and feelings flow smoothly throughout the short and proved to be very progressive and effective.
“ The horizon was the color of milk. Cold and fresh. Poured out among the bodies” (Zusak 175). The device is used in the evidence of the quote by using descriptives words that create a mental image. The text gives the reader that opportunity to use their senses when reading the story. “Somehow, between the sadness and loss, Max Vandenburg, who was now a teenager with hard hands, blackened eyes, and a sore tooth, was also a little disappointed” (Zusak 188). This quote demonstrates how the author uses descriptive words to create a mental image which gives the text more of an appeal to the reader's sense such as vision. “She could see his face now, in the tired light. His mouth was open and his skin was the color of eggshells. Whisker coated his jaw and chin, and his ears were hard and flat. He had a small but misshapen nose” (Zusak 201). The quotes allows the reader to visualize what the characters facial features looked like through the use of descriptive words. Imagery helps bring the story to life and to make the text more exciting. The reader's senses can be used to determine the observations that the author is making about its characters. The literary device changes the text by letting the reader interact with the text by using their observation skills. The author is using imagery by creating images that engages the reader to know exactly what's going on in the story which allows them to
Imagery is used by many authors as a crucial element of character development. These authors draw parallels between the imagery in their stories and the main characters' thoughts and feelings. Through intense imagery, non-human elements such as the natural environment, animals, and inanimate objects are brought to life with characteristics that match those of the characters involved.
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.
Throughout the story, Walker uses brilliant imagery in describing each detail of what the mother sees through the eyes of her world. This imagery in turn creates a more interesting and imaginative story, and allows the reader to experience what the narrator is experiencing. The theme of imagery is not within the story, but how the story is told. However, the theme of love of one's family heritage is within the heart and not on the wall.
An example of this is when Kendra was remembering her Grandparents funeral, “Toward the end of the wake, Kendra overheard Mom cajoling Grandpa Sorenson to watch the kids. They were in a hallway around a corner from the viewing area. Kendra heard them talking before she reached the corner, and paused to eavesdrop...”(1) . This is a flashback because she is recounting something with detail like she is actually there. The last example of literary devices is Imagery.
“The Birthday Party”, a short story by Katharine Brush, illustrates a drastic turn of events as what seems to be a joyous event, results in a complete disaster in which the author applies imagery, irony, and diction.
...mple of imagery is when Richard’s friends run up to him with his article in their hands and a baffled look on their faces. This shows that Richard is a very talented writer for his age and that Richard is a very ambitious person because his school never taught him to write the way he does. This also shows that Richard took it upon himself to become a talented author and wants to be a writer when he grows up.
Imagery is a key part of any poem or literary piece and creates an illustration in the mind of the reader by using descriptive and vivid language. Olds creates a vibrant mental picture of the couple’s surroundings, “the red tiles glinting like bent plates of blood/ the
In many situations, it is very difficult to gain a deep understanding through a cursory glance. Sometimes, it is imperative to take a closer look to truly understand what is occurring. In the short story Birthday Party, by Katharine Brush, a married couple is at a restaurant celebrating a special occasion. To help the reader understand the situation, the author employs various literary devices. Some literary devices utilized are irony, imagery and diction, and point of view and perspective.
The writer uses imagery, because he wants to let the readers into his mind. By describing the scene for the readers, makes the readers fell like they were there. Therefore, it gives us a better ability to emphasize with him.
A majestic horse galloping across a expansive green field. On a peaceful street with a big Colonial house two cheerful children frollecking on the wooden, newly obtained swingset. Exuberant teenagers in long, bejeweled gowns and others in rented, formal tuxedos waiting impatiently to be swept away to a magical night in a long, sleek limo. Imagery unlike many other literary devices is used to set the scene for a plot to occurs and even provides deeper meaning into the storyline. On the other hand imagery can be used to deceive the reader of the bitter reality behind the idealistic image formed in their heads on behalf the imagery employed. Excellent examples of deceptive imagery used as illusions of a alternative, unfavorable reality are seen
The author did a fantastic job illustrating the reader’s mind and giving a clear picture. For example, the book states, “The party towers were dark under the almost full moon, and the fireworks all shimmering hues of blue, climbing so high that they exploded in silence.”(51). The reader can vividly depict and picture the scene just from this
In “Birthday Party” Katharine Brush uses many literary devices, such as characterization, diction, and symbolism, to convince the reader to feel empathy towards the woman in her marital relationship.
Imagery is an essential element in poems, short stories, novels, and just about every other form of writing. It creates a picture in the reader's or listener’s mind, which is extremely helpful to understand the deep meaning of the selection. Adjectives, similes, and metaphors are commonly used to create the detailed scenes that we imagine when we read a book or listen to music. Aside from that, writers often use onomatopoeia and personification. In “There is No Word for Goodbye,” by Mary Tall Mountain, “Daily,” by Naomi Shihab Nye, “Hope,” by David T. Hilbun, and “The Day of the Storm,” by Tyroneca “Ty” Booker, imagery causes many effects on the reader.
Visual images also skillfully helps tell the story and provide insight into both plot and character. Visual images convey subtext: the glass house that exposes everything; the broken pieces of pottery glass symbolic of shattered lives; and a doll that connects one’s childhood to adulthood.