A Farewell To Arms Rhetorical Devices

The simplistic and transparent writing of Ernest Hemingway is distinctly shown in his novel, A Farewell To Arms. In chapter one, Hemingway uses coherent and distinct rhetorical devices such as polysyndeton, imagery, syntax, and diction in order to inaugurate the mood and tone of the novel. Syntactical imitations such as polysyndeton and anaphora by Hemingway give the novel a monotonous feel for the reader. The imagery shown in the first chapter establishes a somber and dim feeling for the reader. With the combination of figurative and simple diction and loose syntax, he establishes a descriptive and dim tone for the reader that also has simplicity to it. With the use of syntactical imitations, Hemingway achieves his tone through the manipulation …show more content…
The devices prepare the reader as to what is to come later on into the novel. Hemingway writes “The trunks of the trees too were dusty and the leaves fell early that year and we saw the troops marching along the road and the dust rising and leaves, stirred by the breeze, falling and the soldiers marching and afterward the road bare and which except for the leaves” (3). He uses polysyndeton in this phrase by using the conjunction “and” in close succession where it is not necessary in order to provide special emphasis. He also uses anaphora for special effect by stating “...the troops were muddy and wet in their capes; their rifles were wet and under their capes the two leather cartridge -boxes on the front of the belts….” (4). The use of both polysyndeton and anaphora form a tone that is repetitive which establishes the monotonous feeling and emotion for the …show more content…
He writes “In the dark it was like summer lightning, but the nights were cool and there was not the feeling of a storm coming” (3). His diction throughout chapter one is figurative because his words serve to illustrate. His diction can also been seen as simple because he does not use complex words throughout the chapter to describe the mood or tone, but instead uses different tactics in order the chapter the detailed and expressive view. Hemingway uses loose syntax by stating, “In the bed of the river there were pebbles and boulders, dry and white in the sun, and the water was clear and swiftly moving and blue in the channels” (3). Many of his sentences have a main idea that is elaborated on by successive clauses and phrases. His use of diction and syntax provide the reader with a dim, but descriptive mood and tone for the