LITERARY DEVICES
Foreshadow
Gene starts the book going back to The Devon School. He is looking for a specific tree, which should mean that this tree will be a big contribution to the story.
“ This was the tree, and it seemed to me standing there to resemble those men, the giants of your childhood, whom you encounter years later and find that they are absolutely smaller, shrunken by age. “ Page 14
“ This was the tree, and it seemed to me standing there to resemble those men, the giants of your childhood, whom you encounter years later and find that they are absolutely smaller, shrunken by age. “ Page 14
Irony
I find it ironic that Gene would have slipped and fell if it hadn’t been for Finny to save him, but when Finny fell, Gene couldn’t save him. It’s also ironic that Finny saved Gene but Gene wouldn’t have lost his balance if Finny wasn’t on the limb in the first place.
“Yes, he had practically saved my life. He had also practically lost it for me. I wouldn’t have been on that damn limb except for him. I wouldn’t have turned around, and so lost my balance, if he hadn’t been there. I didn’t need to feel any tremendous rush of gratitude toward Phineas.” Page 33
“Yes, he had practically saved my life. He had also practically lost it for me. I wouldn’t have been on that damn limb except for him. I wouldn’t have turned around, and so lost my balance, if he hadn’t been there. I didn’t need to feel any tremendous rush of gratitude toward Phineas.” Page 33
Alliteration
The letter S is used repeatedly in the alliteration: The Super Suicide Society of the Summer Session.
“The Super Suicide Society of the Summer Session was a success from the start.” Page 33
“The Super Suicide Society of the Summer Session was a success from the start.” Page 33
Imagery
Gene gives a very descriptive description that allowed me to paint a mental picture as he was narrating.
“Pink marble walls and white marble floors were enclosed by arched and vaulted ceilings; an assembly room had been done in the manner of the High Italian Renaissance, another was illuminated by chandeliers flashing with crystal teardrops; there was a fragile French windows overlooking an Italian garden of marble bric-a-brac; the library was Provencal on the first floor, rococo on the second. “ Page 110.
“Pink marble walls and white marble floors were enclosed by arched and vaulted ceilings; an assembly room had been done in the manner of the High Italian Renaissance, another was illuminated by chandeliers flashing with crystal teardrops; there was a fragile French windows overlooking an Italian garden of marble bric-a-brac; the library was Provencal on the first floor, rococo on the second. “ Page 110.
Simile
Phineas’ leg in his cast is compared to a sea anchor being dragged behind.
“The leg in its cast was like a sea anchor dragged behind.” Page 112
“The leg in its cast was like a sea anchor dragged behind.” Page 112