Lit+Terms+B

=﻿Lit Terms B=

In the short story of "Poison" by Roald Dahl many examples of tone, diction, and imagery enhance the plot. First, Roald Dahl clearly expresses the tone of anxiety and tension. At any moment Mr. Pope could be bitten and die and Dahl does an excellent job of keeping the reader hooked and on the edge of their seats by writing to portray that tension and anxiety. Next, Roald Dahl's use of diction really adds to the plot. It does this because it spices of the lines and makes it more interesting and entrances the readers. "...his head was sodden with moisture" (paragraph 5, line 11). Instead of using a boring word like 'wet', Dahl chooses 'sodden'. This adds so much to the line because the reader understands and can picture Mr. Pope absolutely drenched in sweat. Although this isn't the best image...it gets the point across and engages the audience. His use of imagery also contributes to getting the audience to interact with the writing. How he incorperates the sense in his writing really appeals to the audience because it makes them feel like they are a part of the story. How he describes the bright lights of the house and the sweat of Mr. Pople and even the stench of the chlorophorm makes the audience feel just as on edge and uncomfortable as any character in the story. All of the literary devices are definitely important because it makes reading the story memorable.

Kristin Good: In the short story "The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst, there are many different uses of tone, imagery, and diction. As for the tone, while this story was being read, it makes the reader never truly happy for Doodle or the brother, and it has an uneasy feeling. When the Brother says "....,so I began to make plans to kill him by smothering him with a pillow"(paragraph 5 lines 2-3). As this quote was said, it automatically make the story uneasy. The readers are never truly happy because of the Brothers need for Doodle to be normal, even although it is impossible. Next, Hurst uses many different examples of imagery in this story which makes the story become alive and more realistic. As shown in this quote, "The last graveyard flowers were blooming, and their smell drifted across the cotton field and through every room of our house, speaking softly the names of our dead" (paragraph 1 lines 6-9), this quote uses imagery to help the reader become part of the story. This is an important part of the story because it allows the reader to personally connect with the events as they occur. Lastly, the diction in this story helped the setting and events come alive. The choices he made in the words he used brought the emotion to the reader. "..our laughter pealing through the swamp like a ringing bell"(paragraph 23 lines 3-4). This line portrays the degree of happiness that they really felt at that time. That is important to the story because of the uneasy feeling that this story gave off, which makes the perception of happiness at this time more intense. The purpose of portraying the few times they were truly happy with one another was to make the happy times seem greater, which greatly contrasts the selfish feelings the older brother's motivation came from to teach Doodle how to walk.

AJ Fuller: In "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant, there are many examples of imagery, tone and diction. Imagery is used very often when describing the clerk girl, and the surroundings she lives in. An example is this, "She dressed plainly because she could not dress well, but she was as unhappy as though she had really fallen from her proper station" (paragraph 2 lines 1-2). The uses of imagery throughout this short story are negative. They talk about how bad her life is and how it could be better. This adds a negative or sad tone to the story. Throughout the story it is mainly depressing. This beautiful girl is very poor and all she wants to do is be recognized. She gets the chance when she gets to go to the ball, and the tone switches to a positive or happy tone. After the ball, she losses her necklace and the tone switches back to being depressing. She has to work for ten years to pay off her debt and this completly ruins her life. This makes the reader really feel bad for the character and the happy part seems even better because of everything else being so negative. The diction of the author was definitley elevated and complex. An example is this, "Natural fineness, instinct for what is elegant, supplessness of wit..." (paragraph 2 lines 3-4). Instead of using the word smart or intellegent, the author uses the term supplessness of wit. This gives the story a sort of proper feeling to it. It shows that the author was smart and had a good vocabulary. The author also made the negatives and positives very distinguished. When the story was sad, he used very strong, depressing words. When the story was happy, he used exciting, colorful words. This really helps the reader connect with the story and allows for them to be able to picture the story in their minds.

Spencer Goldstein: In "Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnetgut Jr. The tone of this story is one of disappointment. Everyone is the same, no one is perservering to be better because of the handicaps and the controlling manners of the H&G. "It was then that Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General, came into the studio with a double-barreled ten-gauge shotgun. She fired twice, and the emperor and the Empress were dead before they hit the floor" (Para. 22). This shows just how disapointing the tone is. Finally, somebody stands up for what they believe in, individuality. And as soon as they begin their journey, they get shot down... literally. And everyone forgets what happens, It just gives no hope in what should be done. The strongest person ever seen in this world can't even defeat the evil power, which shows no hope yet again. This tone is prevalent throughout the whole story with the handicap devices. Whenever someone thinks of an idea, a wave is instantly shot through the brain to seize the "controversial" thought. Using the same quote above, diction is key in the climax. The quote is fast paced and simple. Which describes how the Handicapper General entered the scene. She entered quick and with vengence, shot twice, and killed both people. This is explaining the authority of Diana Moon Glampers, and how she acts quickly and asks questions later. Imagery is also prevalent in this story. Kurt Vonnetgut does a very good job on describing the scene. "They reeled, whirled, swiveled, flounced, capered, gaboled, and spun" (Para 19). This line just paints the most vivid picture in my mind. This helps distiguish the contentness in how he feels about finally being an individual. Even if for just five minutes, he will dance and celebrate and be merry. The way Kurt describes it also just makes a very happy scene in my mind, once again, showing the glowing happiness of his achieved independence.