Analysis: Kiss Of The Fur Queen

In the passage from Kiss of the Fur Queen written by Tomson Highway, the author describes the character Abraham Okimasis' desperation to win the dogsled race. However, the author is able to uniquely demonstrate Okinmasis’ experience through effective literary devices. Through the use of imagery, hypophora, and repetition, the author effectively creates a clear impression of the situation to dramatize Okimasis’ experience.
First, using imagery to develop a powerful picture is the most effective way the author is able to dramatize Okimasis’ experience. The imagery serves to deepen the audience’s understanding of his experience and how to feel about the race. In the first paragraph of the passage, the author immediately sets the scene, “so crisp, so dry, the snow creaked underfoot, …” (line 2) The literary device exaggerates the importance of the situation to make the audience feel the same emotions as Okimasis. Furthermore, the author develops the imagery throughout the passage to establish the picture, specifically the environment, in the audience’s mind, “One hundred and fifty miles or

Repetition reinforces Okimasis’ determination and extreme effort to win the race. Through the repetition of “tired” throughout the second paragraph, the author addresses the severity of Okimasis’ condition, “And he was so tired, his dogs beyond tired, so tired they would have collapsed …” (line 8) Furthermore, the author uses the same phrases throughout the passage to continue to develop a similar effect of exaggerating Okimasis’ effort, “‘Mush!’ the hunter cried into the wind.” (line 1) Later, the author uses the same phrase to emphasize the exhausting monotony of the race, “‘Mush!’ The hunter cried to his lead dog.” (line 16) The author’s use of repetition to emphasize Okimasis’ effort successfully contributes towards the character’s dramatic