Language

Style of writing

The language in Souvankham Thammavongsa’s short story “Edge of the World” is neutral. For instance, there is not a lot of imagery, and the language is neither overly formal nor overly informal. 

At times, tthe tone is almost conversational and it gives the impression that the narrator is telling the story to the reader. 

There is some dialogue in the story, mostly between the mother and the daughter. One such example is their argument about the shape of the Earth:

Still, I continued, ‘When you get to the edge, you just come right back around to the other side.’

 ‘How do you know?’ she asked. 

‘My teacher says. Miss Soo says.’ (…)

‘It’s flat,’ my mother said, touching the map. ‘Like this.’ Then she swept the puzzle to the floor with her palm. (ll. 91-97)

The short lines of the dialogue highlight the tension building in the scen...