Literary Devices in Salvage The Bones: Symbolism, Imagery & Irony

As the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." This sentiment is reflected in the characters of Salvage the Bones as they face the challenges of poverty and racism, and the looming threat of Hurricane Katrina. Through their struggles, we see their resilience and the indomitable nature of the human spirit.

In Jesmyn Ward's novel Salvage the Bones, the author uses a variety of literary devices to convey the novel's themes and create a visceral and realistic portrayal of the characters' lives. The novel is set in the Gulf Coast, in the days leading up to Hurricane Katrina and it tells the story of a poor African-American family, the Batistes, who lives in the fictional town of Bois Sauvage, Mississippi. The novel explores themes of poverty, race, family, and the destructive power of nature. Through the use of stream-of-consciousness narration, symbolism, imagery, foreshadowing, and irony, the author is able to create a powerful and moving portrayal of the characters and their experiences.

One of the most prominent literary devices used in the novel is stream-of-consciousness narration. The novel is narrated from the perspective of the main protagonist, Esch, and her thoughts and feelings are presented in real-time, allowing the reader to gain a deeper understanding of her character and the impact of poverty and racism on her life. For example, Esch's thoughts on her poverty are clearly depicted when she describes the breakfast they had: "We had grits and sugar for breakfast, the only things left in the house. My stomach growls with hunger, but I'm too proud to ask for more."

Another important literary device employed in Salvage the Bones is symbolism. The novel uses symbolism to convey deeper themes, such as the relationship between the characters and the land, and the cyclical nature of life and death. For example, the recurring image of the dogfighting ring symbolizes the brutal cycle of poverty and violence that the characters are trapped in. "The ring is a secret, underground world where the men gather to gamble and fight their dogs. Skeetah’s dogs are his only source of pride and joy, and they are also a symbol of the cycle of violence and poverty that surrounds the Batiste family."

Imagery is also used extensively in the novel to create a realistic portrayal of the characters' lives and the setting. The imagery is used to convey the harsh realities of poverty, such as the rundown house, the lack of food, and the poverty of the area. For example, "The house is falling down around us. The roof leaks and the floorboards are warped. The pipes burst in the freeze and the toilet don't flush right."

Foreshadowing is also employed throughout the novel to hint at the approaching Hurricane Katrina and the devastation it will cause. This literary device helps to build tension and create a sense of impending doom. For example, "The sky is a sickly green, the color of pus. The wind is picking up, and I can feel the first drops of rain on my face."

Finally, irony is used in the novel to contrast the characters' expectations with the reality of their situation. For example, Skeetah's pit bull China is pregnant, and he is worried about her and her puppies, but in reality, the hurricane is about to hit and his dog is the last thing he should be worried about. "Skeetah worries about China and her puppies, but the hurricane is coming and his dog is the last thing he should be worried about."

Overall, the literary devices used in Salvage the Bones serve to create a realistic portrayal of the characters' lives and the setting, and to convey the themes of poverty, race, family, and the destructive power of nature. They help to build tension, create a sense of impending doom, and offer a deeper understanding of the characters and their experiences.