Language
The language of “The Raft” by Peter Orner is plain American English, reflecting the child identity of the narrator. However, the choice of words related to warfare in the World War II may pose some challenges, but it is meant to reflect the grandfather’s background.
Most of the story is rendered through dialogue and some longer monologue passages (when the grandfather tells his story), but some narrative passage is also used, making the plot and setting clearer.
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In what follows, we will focus on the next elements of language:
- Imagery
- Similes & Metaphors
- Allusions
- Repetition
- Ellipsis
- Symbols
Imagery
Descriptive words (adjectives, adverbs, verbs of manner) create imagery in short stories, enabling readers to visualize the setting, the characters and how they act, as well as the general atmosphere the author wants to convey. In “The Raft”, imagery is related to the setting and the character of the grandfather:
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Repetition
Repetitions are employed several times in the short story. In some cases, they are meant to create the atmosphere of a real-life conversation:
"Why?" I say. "Why, if you knew it wasn't --"
"Why?" he says, not as if he's repeating my question but as if he really doesn't know. (p. 126, ll. 19-21)
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Symbols
Looking more closely at the short story, you will also notices that some elements also have a symbolic role in the narrative: “The raft” (which also titles the short story) is meant to be associated with survival and salvation, but in the story it becomes a symbol of death and Seymour’s guilt for having killed innocent people in the war.
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