Language

Style of language

The short story “The Death of Tommy Grimes” by R.J. Meaddough, III is written using informal, colloquial language. The language is used to highlight the characters’ backgrounds and social groups. The characters live in rural Mississippi, most likely before the abolition of slavery in the US. 

There are several instances where grammatical errors and colloquial language are used, primarily in the dialogue“ ‘Gee, Pa,’ he murmured, ‘you make it sound so nice I don’t know’s I want to hunt tomorrow.’ ” (p. 2, ll. 29-30). Non-standard spelling is also used. The expression “ain’t” is often used instead of the correct form “isn’t”, the expression “yes-tidy” (p. 4, l. 24) is used instead of “yesterday”, while “git out” (p. 4, l. 25) is used instead of “get out”. 

Furthermore, the derogatory term “nigger” (p. 4, l. 22) is used in the story, together with the offensive metaphor “swamp-buck” (p. 4, l. 24). The language, therefore, mirrors the rural and racist society of the Southern US before the ab...

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