Language Use and Stylistic Devices in The Samaritan
1. Imagery
a. Vivid description
Has been used at the start of scene 3 and so there is the description of The Mayor who is seated. On the table are his usual stuff, the hat, three mobile phones and a walking stick.
b. Simile
Word of her arrest spread like a bushfire (P100). Mossi sprung to his feet like one stung by a bee pacing about his room in circles like a madman (101).
It looks like a sewer rat (P.113).
c. Personification
Rodents have a sense of humour (P.110).
No one has an idea who gave birth to them (P.110).
They can learn to somersault (P.109).
They won’t give you way if you meet in the granary, You are buddies (P.110)
2. Hyperbole
The rodents and other rat’s ability are exaggerated. The rodents are said to have an attitude.
Mossi tells Jaden that they have countless rodents in the granaries today and he thinks the rodents in the granaries are more than the grains (P 109).
3. Rhetorical Questions
The judge uses rhetorical questions … And I am beginning to catch the smell of rats?(P.113).
Bembe asks, A whole judge in this kind of scandal? (P.108).
Look now what it has turned out to be?(P.112).
4. Biblical Allusion
It has been used to compare the foolish rich man in the bible with Jaden who accumulated his wealth, in the hope of enjoying after retirement in Luke 12:16-21 (P. 112).
The invasion of the locusts is a biblical allusion of the locus that invades Egypt in Exodus 10:4 (P.)
5. Foreshadow
Bembe thinks that these are his last days (P.99).
6. Litote
Bembe says there was no soul in the whole vicinity of the Municipal Headquarters
(P.101)
7. Saying
When bad luck chooses you as a companion, even a ripe banana can knock off your teeth.
8. Onomatopoeia
Huff and puff (P.110).
Springing to his feet (P.101).
9. Satire
The whole scene is a mocking of the leadership in the municipal council for protecting themselves instead of the citizens.
Jaden as a judge is meant to ensure there is justice, however he is at the center stage of impunity, corruption, and other social evils.
10. Idiophone
Shss (P.102)
11. Flashback
There is a flashback in which the rodents are reared in the Orchard Farm. Most of these rodents are like humans and they could counter human beings (110).
The other flashback is on how Jaden ruled two cases in favour of ivy; one to receive the contract of killing rats and another to bring specially trained cats to kill these rats (P.108-109).
12. Sarcasm
Bembe sarcastically asks questions to Jaden, A whole judge in this kind of scandal? (P.108). Did they introduce specially trained cats (P.110).
Bembe further mocks Jaden by saying he will rush to the police station and send officers to arrest him and have him record a statement concerning the matter (P.111).
Mossi says this is the image of his Lordship Justice Ian Jaden, the lowest wretch that ever sat on the bench in maracas Municipality (p.111).
Bembe complains about the pronouncement Jaden he made and Mossi indicates how his verdict showed that the rats had an attitude and needed specially trained cats to kill (P.109).
Mossi is sarcastic when he says, introducing rodents into the farm was an act of great benevolence (P.111).
13. Elipsis
Jaden says, I can’t . I can more solemnly swear that I didn’t…(P.109).
Mossi says, That is street gossip and…(P.110).
Bembe stammers, He must enforce law, and… eh… eh..(P.111).
Jaden says, Wait, gentlemen … I… what we can do… you still can’t (P.111). He also says You see gentlemen… you know very well those are fabrications…(P.111).
14. Humour
Rodents have a sense of humour (P.110).
Mossi tells Jaden that they have countless rodents in the granaries today and he
thinks the rodents in the granaries are more than the grains (P 109).
Mossi tells Jaden that they have countless rodents in the granaries today and he thinks the rodents in the granaries are more than the grains (P 109).
But tell me, did they introduce those specially trained cats?(P.110)
They won’t give you way if you meet in the granary, You are buddies (P.110)
16. Soliloquy
Jaden remains standing and speaks to himself after the meeting. He reveals why he was involved in this corrupt deal. He intended to amass and retire early then enjoy his wealth. He also shares that everybody was doing it and when litigants gave him money to determine a case in their favour he did so. He also reveals his fear and the emergence of ulcers and well as having been haunted (p.112-113).
17. Idiom
Mossi tells Jaden , I can’t take the bullet for you (P. 105).
Bembe says, My situation is out of hand (P.100).
Jaden says You are playing dirty (P.111).