Analysis of EPICAC
A short story written by Kurt Vonnegut
The short story EPICAC is written by Kurt Vonnegut. It is a fictional text about a very intelligent and expensive computer, EPICAC, built by Dr. Ormand Von Kleigstadt to solve complex worldly problems. The narrator works with EPICAC on the night shift along with another mathematician; Pat Kilgallen, whom the narrator wishes to marry, but because of his lack of romance and poetic skills she keeps turning him down. That is how one day the narrator “invents” a number-for-letters code explaining his real problem in life to EPICAC. EPICAC recognizes the code and answers to it. The narrator wins Pat’s hand in marriage because of the poetry EPICAC has written to her, but because the
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5, lines 10-11)
That is when the narrator realizes how grateful he is that EPICAC was his friend - and maybe that is why the story tributes EPICAC so beautifully.
The language used in the story is informal and there is no use of complex syntax or difficult vocabulary - in fact it is quite the opposite. With swearwords like hell and a use of irony and sarcasm between the narrator and Pat, the language and tone causes a sense of a relaxed relationship between the characters and adds a humoristic side to the otherwise almost sad story about EPICAC’s lost love and unrealistic dream.
Furthermore the tone helps to create a certain relationship, in particular between Pat and the narrator, and the reader obtains insight and knowledge about the different dreams of the two of them.
My first impulse when I finished reading the short-story was “what is the difference between man and machine really?” and that is why I believe there is a certain purpose with the story; to make the reader reflect on whether the narrator deserves Pat’s love more than EPICAC does. Ergo could the message be something about where development and technology are headed and furthermore to what extent love can be explained. Exactly because the narrator had to trick and lie his way out of his conversation with EPICAC and by that justify why he deserved her, it makes you wonder; how come just telling the truth wasn’t enough?
To sum up, I
Figurative language is a main component in showcasing the emotions the characters reveal. An example being when the author writes “ The children huddled up to her and breathed like little calves waiting at the bars in the twilight.” This portrays the children's emotions with more emphasis and really shows how they watched everything Granny Weatherall did with precision. This type of writing really helps the reader understand what is going on within the characters and their actions. The author also displays figurative language in the way she describes how John would be in the situation of them still being together. She describes him as being more of a child, rather than taking a parent role.
because through his first person narrative, the reader is drawn to his sensitive nature, his
2. The narrator, Ray Bradbury, says these words using beautiful imagery. This creates wonderful imagery because it explicitly shows us how Montag is trying to understand what the women are thinking by studying their facial expression, since he cannot find any other way of trying to understand them. He feels whatever the women say to him is meaningless.
The world is a massive place full of endless literature, beginning from ancient scrolls to daily news articles, filled with many secrets, perspectives and surroundings that help connect literature to an individual’s daily life. Some writers use the skills of literary elements to express and discuss an event that has happened to them or what has happened to others. This helps others to comprehend the perspectives of the author’s understanding toward an incident that one might experience. For instance in Flannery O’Connor’s short story, she uses many literary elements to express her views over most of her stories. O’Connor expresses her views in her short story, “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” by using the literary elements of point of view, irony, and setting.
These factors are important to the purpose to set the tone of the atmosphere and to re-create his experiences for the best understanding of the piece.
convey both the mood and meaning of the narrative. Irving creates a setting that is
You can really feel the despair and grief that the families and friends have cope with, and suddenly you become attached to the memories that are shared. The memories are the most golden parts of the book because they are like the clay that is being built up and once it’s sculpted, you can really see how beautiful the characters were and that sculpture is the preserved reminiscence of the three of them. The author makes it seem like the characters in the story are so real and you feel how they feel in the moment.
This is a very important part of the book because it shows the reader that the
The author writes the story in a very interesting way. The way that there are only a few descriptions scattered about and that it focuses on dialogue is what allows us to figure out what the characters are speaking about and to find the intentions behind their words. The subject of this short narrative stands out boldly. Though it was written in
A final feature in the text which is vital for creating an emotional connection with the audience is the style in which it is written as it conveys Galloways personality, which allows the reader to understand the meaning of the text and relate to it, making it easier to connect with. The first element of style that Galloway uses to her advantage is formality; rather than writing it in a complex and serious manner, the writer presents the text in a light-hearted way making it more accessible and enjoyable. Aspects of the text which contribute towards are informality are the use of slang - "LURV", "stunk like a month-old kipper"; use of short sentences - "This did not trouble me. I was a biddable child. Most are."; and parenthesis - "(there were no men in our house)". These stylistic features all mirror the structure of natural, spoken language, therefore the reader feels as
The narrator through out most of the short story comes of as a pretty shallow character. Besides his stereotyping tendencies he comes of as callous and un-imaginative. He shows his lack of
Depending on the author’s style, syntax can greatly change the way a reader interprets the passage. Sometimes it adds to the tone and sometimes it gets the reader inside the minds of the characters. There are many different ways an author can use syntax to better their story and intrigue the readers. In the short story, “The Tell-Tale Heart” written by Edgar Allan Poe, Poe uses syntax to describe the speaker’s mental state. Starting on the very first line, Poe begins with, “TRUE!-nervous-very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?”
Throughout this lay, there is a sense of hope in the author's tone, almost good-natured and kind hearted. She also sets a series of sorrowful tones that creates an atmosphere for the troubles the lovers have gone through to be in the presence of each other. However, the majority of the story is the happiness and joy from the lovers finally being with one another. Toward the
She writes, "First there's the vinegar-lipped Reader lady…And then the emaciated German male…and there are your parents…and there's William Burroughs" who all criticize her work (Lamott 72). By using these satirized characters, it connects the reader as they feel that Lamott is thinking of them while writing. Lamott also uses pathos to capture the reader's feelings and emotions. She allows the reader to feel as if they are not alone, and that she can relate. Also she uses cursing, to make it more informal and allows the reader relate more. She finds it difficult to write a first draft, and knows many others feel the same way, too.
Likewise, the language the author uses also clarifies the tone and the theme of the novel. In many positions in the novel, languages such as grief, despair, hate, and revenge