Language
An overview of the language of “Sredni Vashtar” by Saki reveals the author has employed fairly standard vocabulary (for the time of the publishing) although some words may seem old-fashioned or misspelled nowadays. Because the story follows a child, however, it is not difficult to grasp the plot. Furthermore, the choice of words is related to the field of domestic life.
The story is mostly conveyed in the discursive mode, meaning the narrator is the one who presents what happens. However, a few dialogue lines and quotes are also included, adding diversity to the language structure.
The tone is generally neutral, but the narrator makes his presence felt via certain subtle comments: “Mrs. De Ropp would never, in her honestest moments, have confessed to herself that she disliked Conradin…”; “And one day, out of Heaven knows what material, he spun the beast a wonderful name…”
These general features are completed by a few figures of speech which are also worth considering when analysing the text:
- Imagery
- Metaphors and Personification
- Repetition
- Symbols
Metaphors and Personification
A number of metaphors (implicit comparisons) further embellish the text. Mrs De Ropp is depicted as “three-fifths of the world that are necessary and disagreeable and real” and as “an unclean thing”.
The shed is described as “a playroom and a cathedral”, implying that the room feels as large or small as Conradin imagines it to be. However, the two animals in the shed are referred to as “two inmates”.
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Symbols
Symbols are very relevant for the short story’s language and for the way the author chooses to convey his message and the themes of the narrative.
The house and the shed are opposing symbols. The house stands for authority and confinement as it is the territory of Mrs De Ropp, while the shed represents a shelter for Conradin,...
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