The Old Man and the Sea Group

Question:

mgf
mgf
Student
High School - 12th Grade

What are two literary devices Hemingway uses to create the setting in "The Old Man and the Sea"?

"In the dark the old man can feel the morning coming..."

"He heard the trembling sounds as flying fish left the water..."

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Posted by mgf on Thursday December 18, 2008 at 7:50 AM and tagged with hemingway, setting, the old man and the sea, themes.

Answers:

  1. morrol
    morrol Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    The first literary element that Hemingway uses to create setting in "The Old Man and the Sea" is imagery. Imagery is used to create a visual picture or sound for the reader. In the quotes provided, the reader can hear the tremble of the fish splashing out of the water. This reveals the nautical setting of the book. The author also uses point of view to convey the setting. "The old man can feel the morning coming..." is in third person present tense. The use of present tense seals the events in the "now" position. This keeps the reader involved with the characters as the action takes place. The story is not something that happens in the past: It is something that is always happening.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/omas/essays-criticism
    http://www.enotes.com/omas/themes

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    Posted by morrol on Wednesday January 7, 2009 at 2:45 PM