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How Does Ron Rash Use Syntax In Saints At The River

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Ron Rash’s novel—Saints at the River—begins with a short prologue, in which, a twelve year old girl drowns. Rash uses lyrical syntax and emotionally-charged imagery to establish a macabre tone. Rash utilizes several syntactical elements, but the most prominent, and arguably most effective, is his use of polysyndeton. The conjunction “and” is repeatedly numerously in Rash’s leviathan of a concluding sentence. For example, as the girl begins to drown, she “hears the falls and knows there is nothing that will keep her from it and the current quickens and quickens” (4). This repetition sets a rapid tempo and rhythm to the passage. This extends the action, stretching it out across several lines, while in reality it most likely lasted mere seconds.

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