Literary Elements In The Destructors, By Graham Greene

In Thomas Foster’s book, “How to Read Literature Like a Professor,” readers learn how to look past the surface of a literary work to find a deeper or hidden meaning. Writers use devices, such as symbolism, imagery, foreshadowing, irony and allusion to reveal these meanings. If these are overlooked, important aspects of the story can be lost. One literary device that Foster emphasizes in his book is allusion. Every story has elements of another story, and Foster devotes Chapters Four through Seven explaining the meaning of allusion in works by Shakespeare, the Bible, and fairy tales.

    David Arnason uses literary devices in A Girl’s Story like irony, satire, pathetic fallacy, metaphors, juxtaposition, and imagery and symbolism

Depth of a story relies greatly on the author’s unique way of conveying a tone. There are many great examples of diction in any genre of literature, whether is be of someone’s feelings, a setting, a mood, a person, or an object. Without it, a story would be dull. Diction connects our senses to the actions, the setting, and the mood of a story, thus enveloping the reader into it, which is exemplified beautifully in “The Scarlet Ibis,” “The Most Dangerous Game,” and “The Necklace.”

Different literary devices are used to make books and stories more descriptive and interesting. In Shirley Jackson’s short stories, “The Lottery,” and, “The Possibility of Evil,” she uses these literary devices in her writing. There are several examples of her using irony, imagery, and tone . Shirley Jackson uses these words to improve her short stories and to make them more fascinating for the reader.

Short story fiction is a story that is shorter than a novel, has a few characters, and is about an imaginary event or person. Because short fiction is short the writer must capture and hold the reader’s attention within the first paragraph, which requires a mastery of literary technique. Some of the most helpful tools to use in literature are literary devices. Literary devices are any element, subject, or concept that is present through an entire body of literature. If these devices didn 't exist, literature would be very hard to understand. They define the nature of a story, and they bring the text to life. Literary devices enhance the meaning of literature by establishing the theme, mood, and plot. Devices, such as situational irony, symbolism, and setting, are all helpful when reading short stories.

Often, authors often use literary techniques to convey a particular effect, which can range from a tone, a message, a sense of danger, a feeling, etc. Portraying these techniques throughout a text allows the reader to develop a deeper understanding of said text. In the book Ender's Game, the author Orson Scott Card, uses foreshadowing, comparison, and inner dialogue to convey a sense of danger that renders the readers feeling.

In most novels and stories, the author often writes literature with the literary structure that consists of style and tone suited to the plot. This style and tone enable the author to include archetypal symbols and allusions as well. This is mainly how authors teach us about life-lessons and comparisons with real-life.

In my novel, Shattered Air, their were numerous literary devices in the few pages I read. Foreshadowing, "Before they departed Glacier Point, Clu Cotter bought a postcard showing a lightning bolt striking Half Dome"(page 93 Madgic). The reason why I choose this literary device is that the narrator has been talking about how the sky's are starting to turn darker and darker. Even the park rangers put up signs saying do not go up the summit if storm is on the way. Another reason why I choose foreshadowing is Pippey brought his younger brothers, Hoog and Crozier, to help steer them to the write path. Before they arrived, they had practice with CPR and other procedure just in case something bad happened. On page 89, Hoog and Crozier we're alike

The next literary device the author utilizes is foreshadowing. The author hints at the reader in numerous ways, which builds curiosity, anticipation, and

Authors often apply literary devices in literature to convey special messages to the readers. Margaret Atwood portrays the use of literary devices in her poem, “Bored,” when she uses anecdote and metaphor. In the poem, Atwood effectively demonstrates how the use of literary devices creates a greater insight into the lack of power women have in a male-dominated society.

Literary devices can be mildly, or majorly, confusing, depending on personal reading level or the way they are taught, which can make all the difference. Thankfully, there are many books that can aid in understanding the pesky literary terms. Like How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster, for example. Each chapter of the book focuses on a literary device or technique that may have multiple meanings depending on the context. Therefore, this book can help readers understand more confusing pieces of literature with underlying messages such as To Kill a Mockingbird. Particularly, Foster can help readers dissect more difficult parts of the novel by Lee including violence and death, symbols, and ironies.

After reading “Destructors” by Graham Greene I am convinced to believe this statement fits very well with the story. I had to reread this short story, because I missed important pieces the first time. The reason the gang wants to hurt Thomas or ‘Old Misery’ is because he gave the gang what he said was chocolate, and in reality it was not. This made the gang think Thomas was trying to be smart with them, and the gang said they would get even. The gang then chose to do this by destroying the man’s house. Not just breaking a few things, but tearing the house completely down. Emotions were shifted throughout the book, and I believe that played an important role in grabbing the reader’s attention and keeping them guessing what will happen

literary devices such as point of view and symbolism to give it a more dramatic effect and add to the madness the narrator portrays.

Many of your favorite authors bring their successful literature to life with the use of literary devices. For example, in The Book Thief, the author, Markus Zusak conveyed a story from death’s perspective of adversities faced during World War II. On the other hand, in “The Monkey’s Paw,” author W.W. Jacobs told his audience about a magical paw that revealed the meaning of fate to the White family. In another work, “The Plot Against People,” Russell Baker took a humorous spin on his frustration of inanimate objects. Although these three authors tell three completely different narratives, they all used literary devices to enhance their stories. Some of the most compelling literary devices used in these works include irony, mood, and personification. By using these literary devices, the authors effectively convey their purposes.

The destructors is a short story that took place in the 1950s in London about twelve years after the Bomb Blitz, when the Wormsley Common Gang decide to destroy a house that survived for 200 years. This house last through two war and the Bomb Blitz. Where it was just barely missed by the bombs both the houses next to it were destroyed. But in the story these kids decided to destroy the house.