Eyes #3

Stylistic devices that Zora Neale Hurston uses:

1. "So when speakers stood up when the occasion demanded and said 'Our beloved Mayor,' it was one of those statements that everybody says but nobody actually believes like 'God is everywhere.' It was just a handle to wind up the tongue with."(48). Metaphor
2. "New lies sprung up about his free-mule doings. How he pushed open Lindsay's kitchen door and slept in the place on night and fought until the made coffee for his breakfast; how he stuck his head in the Pearson's window while the family was at the table and Mrs. Pearson mistook him for the Rev. Pearson and handed him a plate; he ran Mrs. Tully off of the croquet ground for having such an ugly shape he ran and caught up with Becky Anderson one the way to Maitland so as to keep his head out of the sun under her umbrella; he got tired of listening to Redmond's long-winded prayer, and went inside the Baptist church and broke up the meeting. He did everything but let himself be bridled and visit Matt Bonner"(59). Anthropomorphism.
3. "'What killed this man?' The chorus answered, 'Bare, bare fat.' 'What killed this man?' 'Bare, bare fat.' 'What killed this man?' 'Bare, bare fat'"(62). Repetition and Parallelism. 
4. "Here he was just pouring honor all over her' building a high chair for her to sit in and overlook the world...Maybe Sam would be sitting on the porch..."(62,63).  Motif
5. "They have got that fresh, new taste about them like young mustard greens in the spring, and the young men on the porch are just bound to tell them about it and buy them some treats"(67). Imagery, specifically gustatory. 

1) Anthropomorphism as highlighted in this passage is a key device used my Hurston. By giving the mule human characteristics, it in a way becomes a character. Furthermore, the character is used by Hurston to prove a point. In previous discussions, we have seen that the mule can represent a worker. When this worker was free, much like the slaves being freed, many people wondered what he would do. This new chance connects to the issue of slavery and provides a good comparison for the reader.

2) This imagery connects to a motif of the novel: food. In this specific case, mustard greens are part of a Southern cooking known as soul food. This comforting food is made of simple ingredients, but many times with recipes that have been passed down through the generations. This is a big part of the Southern culture. Hurston's knowledge of the culture makes the book seem more realistic. Food connects in this novel by contributing to the mood.