O. Henry writes with many distinctive techniques and styles seen in his work such as situational irony and moral characters. Situational irony is when something unexpected happens, like a plot twist at the end of a book, that leaves the reader in awe. This style is a key part of O. Henry’s writing style as used in many of his stories. In After Twenty Years, when two old friends reunite, the policeman friend realizes the other is a criminal, so he sent a co-worker to arrest him and act as the old friend, Jimmy Wells. “ ‘You’re not Jimmy Wells,” he snapped ‘Twenty years is a long time, but not long enough to change a man’s nose from a Roman to a pug” (228). This shows situational irony because no reader expected the policeman to be his friend, …show more content…
One example of Steinbeck’s unique writing styles is symbolism. This is when an object can represent something other than what it is`. An example of how John Steinbeck writes with symbolism is in his story The Pearl. When Kino was cutting oysters at the lake and getting worried he might not find one, he states (SPP), “It was the greatest pearl in the world... In the surface of the pearl he could see dreams form. He picked the pearl from the dying flesh and held it in his palm, and he turned it over and saw its curve was perfect” (19). This passage shows that the pearl gave Kino hope for his family’s future. This shows the reader how Steinbeck uses symbolism throughout his books to show the unique style in which he writes in. (CX) Another unique style that Steinbeck uses in his work is social differences. For example in chapter 1, when Kino and Juanna 's son gets stung by a scorpion and they do not have enough money to pay the doctor, he states, ”’Have I nothing to do than cure insect bites for little Indians? I am a doctor, not a veterinary’” (11). This shows the view the rich has on the poor and how they view the poor irrelevant to themselves. Steinbeck’s unique style helps us to better understand his work and the view of people around the
Of Mice and Men was an excellent novel about two migrant workers traveling in Southern California, trying to make enough money to fulfill their dream of attaining their own plot of land. They have trouble accomplishing this goal when Lennie, the big and clueless on of the two, consistently makes mistakes, some of them being vital. The author, John Steinbeck, uses great techniques and literary devices that build up to the climax and resolution. Throughout the story, he describes how several characters all have/had dreams or goals, but none of them truly achieved those dreams. All of these literary devices, techniques, and the entire plot lead up to my thesis statement.
He takes this opportunity to impose his power and get his revenge by killing Lennie. Steinbeck uses this moment to criticize the American Capitalist Society by showing how it allowed the one who has power to exert it onto the weak and innocent in the society. Curely abuses his power and ignores the effect it could have on people. He uses that factor to diminish people and make him feel better about himself as he is
Steinbeck conveys a message through quizzical diction, which allows the reader
Perhaps his memories of home have been romanticized in his memories which makes it increasingly difficult for him to accept that the city is continually changing. In this chapter Steinbeck uses historical and biblical allusions as well as diction to appeal to the audience's emotions or pathos and to convey his feelings towards an unyielding acceptance of
This relates to a quote from The Pearl by John Steinbeck that says,
Steinbeck makes it as if the animals were part of the decor of the nature. He also describes the “lizard” that “makes a great skittering” which is a compliment and an admirable thing the lizard can do. The diction makes the nature more graceful and respected by the animals. This diction shows how the author favors the animals while also showing how humans are ruining the peaceful lives of nature and the
To convey pathos Steinbeck employs syntax and dreary diction to obtain an emotional response from the reader. Throughout
Rhetorical Analysis Essay People’s realities are shaped by their experiences of failing while trying to achieve their dreams. For years people have shaped and/or destroyed their reality by trying to catch their dreams. People strive everyday to achieve their dreams, but in reality they never will. John Steinbeck uses many rhetorical appeals to help the reader understand how the American Dream can be with his experiences using ethos, paradox, and repetition.
Steinbeck illustrates the hopefulness found in a harsh reality and
In specific, Steinbeck manipulates intercalary chapters, a robust narrative, and allusions in order to get his point that community is indispensable across. To begin, Steinbeck’s intercalary chapters abruptly halted the narrative, yet progressed the themes in a stunning manner. The turtle in chapter three is a delicate symbol and an excellent example of an intercalary chapter that moved the whole book, so to speak. Steinbeck leaves a whole chapter to describe a turtle for seemingly no apparent reason; nevertheless, when describing this turtle, he releases a powerful symbol that preys on the sympathy of the reader.
Steinbeck’s somber yet passionate tone is his most powerful tool, as by writing The Grapes of Wrath this way, he emphasizes how much of a victim the migrants are to their circumstances and the extent of the landowners’ greed. Early on, Steinbeck inflicts his passion into an account of a pawnbroker taking advantage of a migrant farmer. “We could have saved you, but you cut us down, and soon you will be cut down and there’ll be none of us to save you.” (94) This statement by the farmer has somewhat somber connotations, as he refers to both having misfortune, but the intensity in which he threatens the pawnbroker is unmistakable.
Along with these elements, imagery supports characterization throughout the novel. These elements help to support the theme that chaos can occur in even the most peaceful places. In his novel, Of Mice and Men, Steinbeck uses conflict, imagery, and characterization to strengthen the story, and develop the theme in the novel. Steinbeck’s development of George and Lennie’s conflicts and even Candy’s help to advance the plot and develop the theme in the novel. George’s internal and external struggle is clear at the beginning of the
One characteristic of John Steinbeck 's writing style that makes it unique is his use of social commentary. Steinbeck lived during some of the hardest times in American history, like the Great Depression, which caused effects on his writings. In his story, The Pearl, Steinbeck uses social commentary when describing how the poor were treated. After the doctor refuses to help Kino with Coyotito in The Pearl, Steinbeck writes, " Why should he, when he had more than he could do to take care of the rich people who lived in the stone and plaster houses of the town?"(p.4). This quote shows how Steinbeck used his writing to tell how the world was at that time, and how people were treated differently based on how much money they had.
Foreshadowing was a major point in The Pearl. John Steinbeck wrote his book in a way of warning you that something is going to happen later in the book, but it is almost too subtle to figure out that he is foreshadowing. There are many ways John Steinbeck foreshadowed in this book for example: his son’s name, finding the pearl, and Juana being suspicious about the pearl. Kino’s name is Coyotito.
Steinbeck is criticizing the economic system that drove farmers to homelessness and hard poverty. He is also critical of this capitalist economic system because, in addition to destroying