In “Birthday Party,” Katharine Brush’s purpose for writing the short story was to reveal how something that is good can go so wrong. She also demonstrates how some things are not what they seem. Especially in the situation that she wrote. Her purpose from the beginning to end is demonstrated by the use of literary devices.
Brush begins by describing the scenario, she states, “They sat on the banquette opposite us.” This sets the sitting for the story, and she also mentions the characters to begin it: “They were a couple.” She continues to describe the couple. The use of alliteration, “self-satisfied face,” highlights his personality a bit. Someone with that kind of appearance can be seen as cocky or confident. She states, “the woman was fadingly