EXPRESSIVE MEANS AND STYLISTIC DEVICES

The author used a lot of lexical expressive means and stylylistic devices. They are used to help the reader to understand every word and every situation that the author wanted to show in a propriate way.

Personification as: “The streets run crazy and broken themselves into small strips called ‘places’.” is used to show the peculiar state of that streets and that place;   “Mr. Pneumonia was not what you would call a chivalric old gentleman.” Pneumonia is a serious kind of disease and may become the cause of death. We know, that  Johnsy falls ill due to the prey of pneumonia. While Behrman dies of it.

Similie and metaphor as:    “Johnsy was lying white and still as a fallen statue.” is used to compare Johnsy and to show her feeling and possition.

Comparison : “Young artists must pave their way to art by drawing pictures for magazine stories that young authors write to pave their way to literature.” It is a technique used by O’ Henry to explain things through contrast and comparison. It is based on the quality or quantity of something. Art and literature are very close to each other but the writer compares them on the level of their functions.

Symbolism and imagery : “His shoes and clothing were wet through and icy cold.” This story also does have the devices of symbolism and imagery. Leaf deals with life, nutrition and growth as well. The symbol of shoes and icy cold is also used in this story. Shoes are the symbol of oppression, tyranny and death as well. The writer uses this symbol to show the death of Mr. Behrman;  “I have something to tell you, white mouse.” 

 Imagery is also very close to symbolism but it appeals to senses and feelings. There is a lot of color imagery in this story;  “Johnsy was contentedly knitting a very blue and very useless woolen shoulder scarf.”,  “Old Behrman, with his red eyes…” . The image of white mouse is used for Johnsy because she recovers her health now. The white color presents innocence and purity.

Polysyndeton: "She is very ill and weak," said Sue, "and the fever has left her mind morbid and full of strange fancies." is used to connect small sentances into one with a help of conjunction "and".

Detachment : "Ah, darling, it's Behrman's masterpiece - he painted it there the night that the last leaf fell", "Is a man worth - but, no, doctor; there is nothing of the kind.", "But Johnsy he smote;  and she lay, scarcely moving, on her painted iron bedstead, looking through the small Dutch window-panes at the blank side of the next brick house", it separates each part of the sentance from another.

Inversion : "Behrman, his name is- some kind of an artist , I believe.", But Johnsy he smote; and she lay, scarcely moving, on her painted iron bedstead, looking through the small Dutch window-panes at the blank side of the next brick house." is used to involve the reader in the situation, to speak more commonly.

Rhetorical questions: "Didn't you wonder why it never fluttered or moved when the wind blew? ", "What would I do?" , "Who said I will not bose?", "What have old ivy leaves to do with your getting well?", "Paint? - bosh!" are used to show the emotional feelings of the speaker. 

Climax: "Twelve," she said, and little later "eleven"; and then "ten," and "nine"; and then "eight" and "seven", almost together.", "You may bring a me a little broth now, and some milk with a little port in it, and - no; bring me a hand-mirror first, and then pack some pillows about me, and I will sit up and watch you cook." are used in order to increase the importance within the sentence.

Ellipsis:  "Behrman, his name is - some kind of an artist, I believe.", is used to indicate a pause in the flow of a sentence.