Literary Devices

Do authors’ methods of using literary devices help stories become interesting? Richard Connell uses both similes and personification. This helps readers feel the emotion, suspense, and imagination of the characters.

“He was a tall man past middle age, for his hair was a vivid white; but his thick eyebrows and pointed military moustache were as black as the night from which Rainsford had just come from.”  The author helps the readers imagine who Rainsford is seeing and how this character looks like. The authors’ use of this simile was effective because the readers have a picture in their mind that will help them imagine the character and will help them imagine the story vividly.  “He tried to wrench it back, but the muck sucked viciously at his foot as if it were a giant leech.”  This helps the readers imagine the muck as it were a giant leech. This was effective because it helps the reader imagine the muck by describing it and comparing it to a giant leech.

“He struggled up to the surface and tried to cry out, but the wash from the speeding yacht slapped him in the face, and the salt water in his open mouth mad him gag and struggle.” This lets the readers know how Rainsford struggled and fought with the yacht to get out the sea. This was effective because the readers can feel the suspense and emotion of Rainsford and how it was difficult for him. “Sleep has given him new vigor; a sharp hunger was picking at him.” This helped the readers imagine Rainsfords emotions and feelings. This was effective because the readers have a connection with Rainsford and they could feel his emotions , feelings, and his struggles.

Richard Connells use of similes and personification helps the readers feel the emotions and struggles of the character(s). The readers could vividly imagine the struggle and the characters descriptions. This was an effective use of similes and personifications. This is a good technique the author uses to help the readers imagine and feel the connections to the stories, characters, and authors.