Language and style

Here we discuss both language and style of writing of “The Case for the Defence” by Graham Greene.

Language

The language used in the story involves several judicial terms, yet it does not pose serious difficulties in understanding it. Such terms are merely used to make the atmosphere and the story more authentic: “… the defence proposes to plead mistaken identity.” (p. 39, ll. 12-13); “Counsel for the defence rose to cross-examine.” (p. 40, l. 15); “And so the man was acquitted for lack of evidence.” (p. 41, l. 14)

The judicial terms may also be interpreted as a technique used to draw attention on the flaws of the British justice system in the 1930s.

Apart from these features of the language, the author also uses some strong words with negative connotations, which may shock the audience through their brute frankness: “bulging bloodshot eyes” (p. 38, ll. 12-13), “eyes full of brutal fear” (p. 39, l. 3), “big brute” (p. 41, l. 9), “his skull smashed” (p. 41, ll. 25-26).

Style of writing

The style of writing in “The Case for the Defence” by Graham Gree...