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Essay / Literary Devices in Mark Medoff's novel, Children of a Lesser God
Table of ContentsIntroductionSymbolismImageryPoint of ViewIronyConclusionsSay no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayIntroductionThe story of a novel written by Mark Medoff Children of a Lesser God centers on the relationship between a deaf woman named Sarah and a speech therapist named Jacques. The novel explores themes of communication, disability, and power dynamics in relationships. SymbolismOne of the most important literary devices used in the novel is symbolism. In the novel character Sarah, deafness serves as a powerful symbol for the larger theme of communication. Her difficulties in communicating with those around her and the way in which she is misunderstood and marginalized demonstrate the challenges and obstacles that can exist in communication. Sarah's deafness also symbolizes the power dynamics that exist in relationships, particularly in her relationship with James. His inability to hear and speak creates a power imbalance, as James is able to speak and hear and is often able to control and dominate their conversations. This dynamic is further enhanced by the fact that James is a speech therapist and is therefore considered an expert in communication. Additionally, Sarah's deafness also symbolizes society's attitude towards those who are different or disabled. Throughout the novel, Sarah experiences discrimination and marginalization due to her deafness, reflecting the real-life challenges that people with disabilities face in society. Additionally, Sarah's deafness also serves as a symbol of the importance of self-expression and autonomy. Sarah's desire to express herself in her own way, through sign language, and not conform to the hearing world's expectations of speech, reflects the importance of being able to communicate in a way that feels authentic and true to oneself. In summary, the symbolism of Sarah's deafness is used to explore themes of communication, power dynamics, societal attitudes toward those who are different, and self-expression. Symbolism is used to show the difficulties and obstacles that can exist in communication and how they can impact the relationships and lives of people with disabilities. Imagery Another literary device used in the novel is imagery. Medoff uses descriptive language to paint vivid pictures of the setting and characters, which helps create a deeper understanding of the characters and their emotions. One of the novel's most striking examples of imagery is the description of Sarah's movements and expressions as she speaks. in sign language. The images used to describe his gestures, facial expressions, and body language add to the reader's understanding of his character and his emotions. It also helps convey the complexity and richness of sign language, which is often overlooked and underestimated by hearing people. Another example of imagery in the novel is the description of the setting. Medoff uses imagery to create a sense of place and atmosphere, which helps establish the mood and tone of the story. For example, the images used to describe the classroom where Sarah teaches speech give the reader a sense of the environment and atmosphere in which the story takes place. Images are also used to describe the physical appearance of the characters, which helps the reader visualize the character. characters and understand their personality. For example, images used forDescribing James, as a tall, confident man, gives the reader a sense of his physical presence and personality. In conclusion, images are used to create a sense of realism and immerse the reader in the story. . Descriptive language used to paint vivid pictures of the setting, characters, and their emotions helps establish the mood and tone of the story and conveys the complexity and richness of sign language. Imagery also helps the reader understand the characters and their personalities, making the story more accessible and memorable. Point of View The use of point of view is also notable in Children of a Lesser God, which helps shape the reader's understanding of the characters and events of the story. The story is told through the perspectives of Sarah and James, allowing the reader to see events from different perspectives and better understand the characters and their motivations. Sarah's point of view allows the reader to experience the story for herself. perspective, which helps to understand one's emotions and struggles. Sarah's inner thoughts and feelings are revealed through her point of view, allowing the reader to understand her motivations and frustrations. The reader also gets insight into the barriers and difficulties Sarah faces in communicating with others, which gives a deeper understanding of the theme of communication. On the other hand, James' point of view gives the reader a different perspective on the same events. James' thoughts and feelings are revealed through his point of view, allowing the reader to understand his motivations and intentions. It also gives the reader an idea of how James perceives Sarah and how his perception of her changes over time. The use of an alternative point of view in Children of a Lesser God also helps highlight the power dynamics in their relationship. The reader can see how James' point of view and actions can dominate the relationship and how Sarah's point of view is often overlooked and dismissed. To summarize, point of view in Children of a Lesser God is an important literary device that helps shape the relationship. reader's understanding of the characters and events in the story. The alternating point of view between Sarah's point of view and James' point of view allows the reader to see events from different perspectives and better understand the characters and their motivations. This also helps highlight the power dynamics in their relationship and conveys the theme of communication, particularly the difficulties and obstacles that can exist in communication. IronyIrony is also used effectively in the novel to highlight themes of communication and the ways in which this is often taken for granted. One of the most notable examples of irony in the novel is that of Sarah, who teaches speech, but she herself is incapable of speaking. This ironic situation highlights the theme of communication and how it is often taken for granted. It is also a reminder that those who are communication experts do not necessarily have the ability to fully understand the difficulties of those who have difficulty communicating. Another example of irony in the novel is the relationship between James and Sarah. James is a speech therapist who is supposed to help Sarah communicate better, but instead he tries to change her and make her conform to the expectations of the hearing world. This ironic situation highlights the theme of power dynamics in relationships and how individuals can attempt to control and dominate others. Additionally, throughout the novel, Sarah is.