I need help with an english summer project. I had to read a book and find some examples of literary devices. ?

Question

But the problem is once I find the literary device, it ask "Reaction the author intended" and then it asks "How this example produces the reaction intended". I dont know what this means. The book is The Invisible Man. One of the literary device it ask for is Imagery which is the easiest on the paper. I just dont understand what the "author intended" means.

Answer 1

What the author intended means what you think the author wanted by way of reaction from the readers, what was the author wanting the readers to feel or think or imagine.

By imagery it means, what was the author trying to get the reader to see? What picture was the author trying to convey?

Example:

Imagery: Language which describes something in detail, using words to substitute for and create sensory stimulation, including visual imagery and sound imagery. Also refers to specific and recurring types of images, such as food imagery and nature imagery. (Not all descriptions can rightly be called imagery; the key is the appeal to and stimulation of specific senses, usually visual. It is often advisable to specify the type of imagery being used, and consider the significance of the images themselves, to distinguish imagery from mere description.)



The author’s use of visual imagery is impressive; the reader is able to see the island in all its lush, colorful splendor by reading Golding’s detailed descriptions.

Answer 2

It means, through the use of that device, was the author attempting to create humor, interject sadness on the situation, or maybe inject sarcasm into that part of the story.  You can use the context of that part of the story to answer the question.

For example, if the author uses alliteration in one paragraph, you can show from the surrounding plot that the author used that device to create humor.  Another example might be the use of an understatement to amplify the irony of a situation.  

The secret once you are able to spot the device, is to look at the context around it to show what the author intended by using that device.

Hope that helps!

-Ryan