Language use and Stylistic Devices in The Samaritan
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1. Imagery
a. Hyperbole/ Exaggeration/ Overstatement
Montano too tells Alvita what she sees in future, “the way your nose was running as though you had a drum of fluids in the middle of your head (P. 6).”
Montano tells Alvita “you had a fertile imagination (P. 8).”
Nicole tells the students “What an overheated imagination (P. 9).”
Mossi says, “I would especially be delighted if the medicine for regenerating my body cells was discovered today. That would enable me live for four hundred and twenty-two more years (P. 14 and 15).”
Mossi shares, “I accidentally swallowed a whole toothpick (P.16).”
Nicole’s movement is exaggerated with, “Her sharp footsteps can be heard reverberating in the corridor like castanets (P. 18)”.
b. Vivid description
The scene is introduced with an in-depth description of the setting. We are told Chairs and tables are arranged in three rows with two passageways, one on either side of the middle row (P. 1).”
Narine is described as, “She is motherly ,tall plump lady in her late fifties (P. 3)”.
Nicole is portrayed as , “She is dressed in her trade mark style comprising flowery banarasi silk sari and a headscarf (P. 3)”
Further description shows her as , “She is a young, tall, light skinned lady of medium build, a renowned beauty and an uncomprising moralist (P. 3).”
Mayor is a tall heavy man, called mossi (P. 2).
Nicole is described as “She is spotting a wavy side pony-tail hairstyle and is smartly
dressed in a black skirt and a white blouse (P. 3-4)”.
c. Personification
Montano tells Alvita, “Your nose was running (P. 6).”
Montano informs Alvita, “You hard a fertile imagination (P. 8).”
Basdeo says “It will be a delicious new dawn in our islands (P. 19).”
d. Simile
You just send a text message on the App and it spreads like a wild bushfire (P. 16).
Her sharp footsteps can be heard reverberating in the corridor like castanets (P.18).
People slaughtered like chicken (P. 7).
e. Metaphor
Montano tells Alvita, “You hard a fertile imagination (P. 8).”
f. Symbolism
Montano says we better discuss which side of the fence that bird will fly- when it eventually decides to fly (P. 9).The bird represents the Municipal leaders who have to made the decision for the state and citizens.
2. Euphemism
Montano tells Alvita, “Your nose was running (P. 6).”
3. Sarcasm
Mossi sarcastically says he would especially be delighted by the medicine for regenerating his body cells if it was discovered today. That would enable him to live for four hundred and twenty two more years (P. 14).
Mossi sarcastically refers to the Samaritan App as an incredible innovation that they have to discuss the way forward of it after students leave, only to tell them that he will not continue with this ‘Thing.’(P. 15).
Ramdaye says they might spread another rumor on the platform and Mossi may swallow another toothpick (P.16).
With a sarcastic grin, Mossi comments on Basdeo’s delicious smell of the new dawn
as, “It is the smell most likely of berries or corn on cobs, they are delicacies for occupants (P. 19).”
4. Allusion
Alvita says they named The Samaritan after the parable of the Good Samaritan narrated in the good book (P. 13).
5. Rhetorical Questions
Montano asks Alvita the possibility of better change, “What with all these criminal gangs in the Municipality? (P. 8).
Alvita asks Montano, “Haven’t you read about decision-making algorithm (P. 8).”
Alvita asks, “What is so special about developing an artificial police officer or judge (P. 8).
6. Play within a play
Alvita and Montano showcase the future and they imagine of a world of despair with a degraded environment, malnourishment, crime, and poverty contrasted with a world where technology brings hope in the judicial sector and human life span too (P. 4- 13).
7. Satire
The Mayor and his leaders reject the best incredible project of The Samaritan aimed to change the Municipality and the situation of the citizens. Within few minutes Mossi releases students and tells the principal and students that they will not proceed with the rewarding.
The play within a play is a satire of what may happen in future Montano tells Alvita that their country has been producing graduates every year that the jobs it is able to create (P. 5).
8. Irony
It is ironical that Mossi, the Mayor says he had an express mandate given to him by
the people of Maracas to protect their public interest, yet he has an intention of
blocking the advancement of the Samaritan App innovation that could save them
(P. 18).
9. Elipsis
Pirro says, “Pardon me your worship, but they cannot overrule the minster …(P.18).
Mossi stammers when talking to Nicole that she should figure a way…. And further
says that in it that you need to attend to … get when I mean?(P. 17).