Xiv By Derek Walcott Literary Devices

Authors use literary elements and techniques as tools to convey meaning. These devices are the means by which authors bring richness and clarity to a text. They express moods or feelings that allow the reader to connect with the writing. In On Writing, the author, Stephen King makes use of literary elements to tell his story. The techniques King uses are effective in portraying vivid images and feelings in the reader’s mind.

From the very beginning of the poem “XIV”, it is clear the author is describing an experience that has left a lasting impression on him. Walcott vividly details his childhood visit with the elderly storyteller, and his journey there. Throughout the poem the author uses poetic devices to convey how this experience was a defining moment in his transformation from childhood to adulthood, and contributed to his identity and newfound wisdom.

Dunbar and Randall both use interesting imagery in their poems to display how the character truly feels. In the “Ballad of Birmingham,” stanzas

symbolism and foreshadowing are both used to clue the reader into the eventual fate of the

Many memories for young children involve a special individual who made specific events during their childhood, vividly stand out to them as adults. In “Tender Stranger” written by Phillip Lopate, a memory is told from the perspective of a young boy. He is on his way to school when he suddenly bumps into a lawyer on the street corner. In “Novella” written by Robert Hass, the memory is from a young girl who develops a friendship with an elderly gentleman who lives in a cabin deep in the woods. The young boy meets the lawyer on the busy sidewalk and never sees him again, while the young girl forms an extensive friendship as she and the elderly man visit often. The vivid childhood memories of these two relationships play a significant role in the character’s life, whether it was a short encounter or a long lasting friendship.

The literary device provides a deeper connection, as well as establishes an author authority on

The author uses many literary devices to bring richness and clarify the text.

Imagery sets the mood, which affects the readers’ minds as they read. The vivid sensory details and variety of connotation leads to multiple emotions. In Piercy’s poem, similes control the story, taking the readers on a sensory journey as it intensifies the meaning behind the idea. The structure “[makes] a pattern of chaos” (Kort-10) that is able to tie back to a richer meaning. However, in Merwin’s poem, there is not as many whimsical connection to sentences. Rather it has a “deeply introspective volume” (Bosewell-2) that helps intensify the meaning behind each line. Conversely, Merwin does work will melancholy sound devices that relate back to the serious subject. This ideas separates Merwin’s work since he wanted to “[develop] a different style”( Bosewell-2) which shows through his thorough topic descriptions. Nevertheless, the depth is still shown through the complex comparison between the prodigious world and the opulent

There are many parts of a story that work together to make it worth reading. This could include the theme, plot, structure, characters, setting, or tone. Authors use a number of different literary devices that allow them to expand upon their ideas and make their stories clearer. This could be through a central theme or through symbols that contribute to telling a story. Each practice is used to further describe written literary work.

Faulkner forces the reader to explore beyond the outside of the narrative for an explanation of

Throughout works of literature, authors use many different techniques to help enhance a reader’s experience. It is an author’s goal to make the work not just words on a page, but to take readers into their work as if he or she was in the context themselves. One of the ways authors can accomplish this is by using literary devices. By using literary devices, authors can develop their theme. After reading the plot is when the theme becomes more evident. Without the theme, readers are unable to connect to the work. Due to this, theme is argumentatively the most important aspect of a work. In order to determine the theme, the reader must examine the biographical, psychological, and historical aspects the author is portraying. When

In the poem “XIV”, Derek Walcott paints a vivid picture of a young boy, the narrator, and his brother are travelling to listen to a storyteller, and suggests the profound impact that the experience has on the boy’s life as he continues to grow. Due to the tone of the poem and the way speaker talks about the story, it is very clear that the speaker remembers his childhood experiences with the storyteller fondly, and still believes she is magical to this day.

A novel is like an author’s canvas. They can paint whatever they desire much like an artist would paint a picture. The author uses different literary tools similar to an artist using different brushstrokes. These tools include writing devices such as plot, characterization, description, and dialogue. Similar to blending colors to create a different impact, an author may use multiple techniques to increase dimension in their book.

Literary elements are used in many ways to further develop the readers’ understanding of the passage. Nathaniel Hawthorne uses literary elements such as symbolism and characterization in “Young Goodman Brown” and The Scarlet Letter. Washington Irving also uses symbolism and characterization in his work, “The Devil and Tom Walker.” Symbolism is used to give the reader subtle hints at parts of the plot by giving ordinary objects different and symbolic meanings. Characterization is also used to reveal hidden themes through the characters. The authors use objects and people in their stories to show how sin is bad. The Scarlet Letter, “The Devil and Tom Walker”, and “Young Goodman Brown” all use different literary elements to portray their themes: sin is wrong and dwelling on it can cause your downfall.

Many of your favorite authors bring their successful literature to life with the use of literary devices. For example, in The Book Thief, the author, Markus Zusak conveyed a story from death’s perspective of adversities faced during World War II. On the other hand, in “The Monkey’s Paw,” author W.W. Jacobs told his audience about a magical paw that revealed the meaning of fate to the White family. In another work, “The Plot Against People,” Russell Baker took a humorous spin on his frustration of inanimate objects. Although these three authors tell three completely different narratives, they all used literary devices to enhance their stories. Some of the most compelling literary devices used in these works include irony, mood, and personification. By using these literary devices, the authors effectively convey their purposes.