Write an essay in which you characterize Didion's view of the Santa Ana winds and analyze how Didion conveys this view. Your analysis might consider such stylistic elements as diction, imagery, syntax, structure, tone, and selection of detail.
Ancient sailors were able to determine thier location simply by testing the direction of the wind. Didion's vivid description illustrates her feelings that the winds are powerful, malevolent, and regular. Just as the ancient sailors relied on the winds to navigate, Didion uses the winds to exemplify evil. Through her use of dark imagery, a gloomy tone, and an elevated diction and syntax, Didion demonstrates her opinion about the evilness of the Santa Ana winds.
Throughout the piece, Didion chooses to use imagery that is somewhat dark and dreary. When she details the effects of the wind, including "fretting babies, sulking maids, and Indians jumping off cliffs...", this shows the reader that the winds bring no good to the people. Didion continues the dark image by contrasting the "peacocks screaming". Peacocks are usually associated with wealth and happiness, so the reader is suprised to see a happy connotation paired with "screaming". This contrast shows the reader that there are hard times even in the midst of good times. When Didion discusses her neighbor "roaming" with a machete, she alludes to the ever-present threat of danger, symbolized by the man.
Didion also uses an elevated diction and syntax. By choosing words that personify evil, such as "roamed", "uneasy", and "ominously", she shows the reader how she truly thinks of evil.
Didion exhibits her true opinion about the Santa Ana winds through her dreary, gloomy tone. Using words such as "ominously", "roamed", "screaming", and "unmanageable", Didion successfully shows the reader that the Santa Ana winds are malevolent and serve no good purpose.
The simple structure of the essay carries a certain sophistication. Through her use of a dreary tone, an elevated diction and syntax, and dark imagery, it was easy for the reader to grasp how Didion truly felt about the Santa Ana winds.
Throughout the piece, Didion chooses to use imagery that is somewhat dark and dreary. When she details the effects of the wind, including "fretting babies, sulking maids, and Indians jumping off cliffs...", this shows the reader that the winds bring no good to the people. Didion continues the dark image by contrasting the "peacocks screaming". Peacocks are usually associated with wealth and happiness, so the reader is suprised to see a happy connotation paired with "screaming". This contrast shows the reader that there are hard times even in the midst of good times. When Didion discusses her neighbor "roaming" with a machete, she alludes to the ever-present threat of danger, symbolized by the man.
Didion also uses an elevated diction and syntax. By choosing words that personify evil, such as "roamed", "uneasy", and "ominously", she shows the reader how she truly thinks of evil.
Didion exhibits her true opinion about the Santa Ana winds through her dreary, gloomy tone. Using words such as "ominously", "roamed", "screaming", and "unmanageable", Didion successfully shows the reader that the Santa Ana winds are malevolent and serve no good purpose.
The simple structure of the essay carries a certain sophistication. Through her use of a dreary tone, an elevated diction and syntax, and dark imagery, it was easy for the reader to grasp how Didion truly felt about the Santa Ana winds.