Language

Dialogue is employed in the second part of “Joe” by Peter Carey, after the narrator presents the plot and gives a background story on his family.

Additionally, the author uses direct address as the narrator addresses readers, building a rapport with them, engaging them with the story (this technique is also called breaking the fourth wall):  “That is so like us, you have no idea.” (p. 133, ll. 1-2); “If you’ve ever seen anything like that you won’t easily forget it, believe me.” (p. 134, ll. 33-34)

Imagery is used to describe Joe, the other family members, and their actions. These descriptive passages help the author convey mental images of what is being narrated:

…he shaved the fuzz of his lip with my razor and then he changed into a clean shirt and Jack’s tartan tie. Then he borrowed my white sports coat and wore his own trousers and brown desert boots. The sports coat was too big for him across the shoulders. (p. 134, ll. 16-20)

Similes, repetitions, and symbols add to the story’s meanings and help the author convey the plot in an appealing manner.

Similes and figurative language

A few similes are used to describe some of the characters. To help readers imagine how the mother’s voice sounds when she is anxious, the author uses the following simile: “Her voice sound high and tense, like it does when she wants to go to the lav…” (p. 136, ll. 37-37)

This simile suggests that the narrator knows his family intimately, and can easily identify the tone of voice used.

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