Friday, March 13, 2009
Figurative Language/ Lit Elements- by Laura
Here is a passage that I find interesting: "There followed an illusionist January, a time so still on its surface that 1947 seemed not to have begun at all. (While, of course, in fact...)" (69). I really like the mental picture that this paints. The repetition of "s" sounds contributes to the feeling of stillness in the passage. "Still on its surface" is an unusual way to describe a period of time, but it certainly conveys the idea of tranquility or dullness. It also suggests that like a moment of stillness on a body of water, this peacefulness in India is not going to last for long. This point is emphasized by the narrator's parenthetical remark, which eludes that trouble is stirring under the surface. I am also intrigued by the phrase "an illusionist January." It is a very peculiar description, and I am not sure what it means. Perhaps it is another way of suggesting that the moment of peace is superficial and will not last long- it is just an illusion. I enjoy Rushdie's creative use of language. As this passage exemplifies, he uses it in unexpected ways.
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I agree that Rushdie has interesting and unusual descriptions. I also think that is an interesting point about the "s" sounds. I was looking at the back of the book and was noticing more repetitions. Such as "... are inextricably bound ... his life inseparable, at times indistinguishable..."
ReplyDeleteMaybe by saying "an illusionist January", Rushdie was saying that it sort of just blended into the rest of the winter. You know how sometimes the weeks all just run together? Maybe he's trying to describe how there was nothing happening, and it was just a time of peace and calm. Probably the 'calm before the storm', because we know that India is going to have a revolution soon.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Marcella, that Rushdie is describing the "calm before the storm." However, I disagree that the phrase "an illusionist January" supports that point. I think illusionists, as in magicians, are pretty far from monotonous and dull.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point, but I think it's more that something is being hidden, which is the kind of thing a magician would do. Maybe it's sort of like the dullness of the month is overshadowing the climax that's going to come.
ReplyDeleteThat's true. I see what you mean now. Foreshadowing would certainly fit Rushdie's style, too.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed his use of repeating sounds to empasize certain words. I think the illusionist January may refer to the events of that January, it's just a thought.
ReplyDeleteThat's really cool! I never would've noticed the repeating "s" sounds, but I agree now that you pointed them out, it's easy to tell how they add to the sentence. I sort of agree with Marcella, when I first read your post I thought that "illusionist January" meant that January really just felt a lot like the previous year and not the start of a new year.
ReplyDeleteI can never pick up on those repetating sounds of letters, I'm so glad you pointed that out. Now that you brought it to my attention I'm definitely going to look out for that as I continue reading.
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