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Quicksand Literary Devices

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Literary devices and their implications in Quicksand by Nella Larsen Quicksand by Nella Larsen used a multitude of different types of literary devices. Some of these literary devices are theme, setting, irony, imagery, symbolism, and foreshadowing. These literary devices allow Nella Larsen to depict a greater understanding of the meaning behind the book. The meaning and uses of literary devices will be broken down and explained in detail until a deeper meaning is revealed. For the themes of this novel it is very apparent that race has something to do with it. The racial division is the main driving force of the conflict. This conflict seems to follow the main character, Helga Crane, wherever she goes. This can be seen when she is working …show more content…

She had kids with the Reverend and also married him. Having the kids and marrying the Reverend was what made her stuck because she could not run anymore and had to stay and take care of her children. This is how the story in its entirety is all symbolism. Aside from the symbolism Nella also uses a lot of imagery. This imagery helps create a very specific setting and mood for each town or city. An example of this is when she moved to rural Alabama with Reverend Green. This quote, “ Helga Crane was not religious. She took nothing on trust. Nevertheless on sundays she attended the very fashionable, very high services in the Negro Episcopal church on Michigan Avenue. She hoped some good christian would speak to her, invite her to return, or inquire kindly if she was a stranger in the city. None did, and she became bitter, distrusting religion more than ever”. The quote talks about Helga’s experience with the church and how she did not ever get approached by anyone. This is very detailed to the point I could picture sitting in the church watching this unfold. That is the level of imagery Nella Larsen put into …show more content…

The irony in Quicksand is in every part of the description of the book that I gave. From the beginning in the public school that Helga worked at. The irony of the school being made for young black girls but then at the same time having a discriminatory staff that does not like Helga for her being mixed race. Another example of irony in Quicksand is when she goes to seek the religious community. After finding this group and the Reverend she finds out that all of the people are extremely shallow and do not actually care about others. This is very ironic because of the fact that the teachings are about treating everyone good but this is not what happens. It is also ironic that Hegla can not find a group to fit in with throughout the whole novel. This is ironic because of the fact that she is mixed

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