The Man Who Was Almost a Man Group

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ayhamza
ayhamza

How does the shift from standard English to dialect enhance the reader's understanding of Dave's point of view in "The Man Who Was Almost a Man"?

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Posted by ayhamza on Tuesday April 22, 2008 at 5:17 AM and tagged with characters, dave, dialect, point of view, style, the man who was almost a man.

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  1. mrs-campbell Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Wright's use of dialect helps the reader to put himself there; this literary tool, in addition to sensory and setting description, makes the entire scenario more believable.  Any way the writer can help the reader to feel like they are actually there, will enhance the reader's understanding of the characters. 

    Since the narration of action is in "normal" English, and only Dave's thoughts and words are in dialect, we see the persective of his world, and can compare it to the actual world around him.  Without that first-person dialect, the entire thing would feel more removed, objective, and unreal.  The dialect puts us right there, in Dave's head.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/man-almost/style

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    Posted by mrs-campbell on Sunday November 9, 2008 at 10:12 PM