Andrea Buchanan
Ms. Sanchez
AP Language and Composition, Period 0
15 March 2010
Blog Topic #2: Diction
Examples of Significant Diction
- “Then there were harebells, tiny lantern, cream white and almost sinful looking, an these were so rare and magical that a child, finding one, felt singles out and special all day long” (5).
- “In the books of some memories it was the best time that ever sloshed over the world-the old time, the gay time, sweet and simple, as though time were young and fearless” (129).
- ‘“Do you think I’m a child?” she asked. “Not anymore,” said Adam. “I’m beginning to think you’re a twisted human-or no human at all.”’ (323).
- “He painted the old house white and whitewashed he sheds” (400).
- “If the style of dress is an absurdity, it is pain and sorrow to a child not to wear that absurdity” (74).
- “As she grew older the group, the heard, which is any collection of children, began to sense what adults felt, that there was something foreign about Cathy” (74).
The tone of Steinbeck’s work preaches innocence, youth in contrast with good and evil. This is found in the simplicity of his language and the frequent usage of words that represent childhood and innocence: white, child, sweet, gay, fearless, young. Sarcastic language appears to represent the “evil” faced by the characters of the novel as well as the challenges and temptation faced by many everyday. Mocking and the light tone taken towards potentially harmful issues exemplify how children view good and bad. Steinbeck’s diction represents this contrast and portrays his tone as one colored with a childish desire.
I really like this connection! I hadn't seen it before when I read, but now that I see it, I agree! It definitely seems to help with the innocent versus evil theme. This goes along really well with Aron and Cal; Aron is so sweet and innocent while Cal, out of jealousy, tells him about their mother even though he knew it would kill him.
ReplyDeleteWhat I thought was really interesting was how you incorporated colors in your interpretation of Steinbeck's tone. Linking the whitewashing of the sheds to purity/innocence was really clever and unexpected. I also concur with your assertion that people try to use humor as a defensive tactic to soften the blow of heavier subjects such as death. As far as East of Eden was concerned, I think that Steinbeck used flowery language to both lighten the weight of such solemn topics, distract the reader from the grave mood and to depict loss as something bittersweet. His perpetual optimism leads the reader to see that with death comes new life.
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