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.
Katherine Brush utilizes diction and atmosphere to convey the mood’s shift throughout the story. Her choice of words and the aura they create demonstrate the transition from a seemingly jovial occasion, to a tense and uncomfortable reaction. “The Birthday Party” takes a seemingly normal couple and uncovers the troubles that lay just beneath the surface.
In scene 1, the author uses imagery to convey a mood that is not important to the story. On page 14 is said, “Jonas and Fiona ride their bikes down a perfectly manicured pathway.” This proves that the mood is not important because the mood of perfection does not contribute to the plot or story. Compared to scene 12, where the imagery created a mood that is important to the plot and story. On page 17 it says, “Jonas speeds toward the wall of Mist and punches through it, disappearing from sight.” This proves that imagery creates a mood that is important to the plot and story. The mood is exited, and it is important to building up the rising action to the climax in the
...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.
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.
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.
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.
...n image of desolate grief that the lone brother feels for his lifeless sibling. Image is truly the most important element in the style of this story.
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 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.
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
“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.
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
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.
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.
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.