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Literary Techniques In Dillard's In The Jungle

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Dillard’s “In the Jungle” was most striking to me in its use of juxtaposition between the purity of the nature in the jungle with the poisonous and greedy deeds of the oil company, Texaco. The essay begins with an idyllic recollection of a night on the Napo River. Dillard recounts the Jesuit’s music, the fireflies, and the way “[e]ach star…seemed to tremble and stir with my breath” (72). The entire scene seems to embody the untouched innocence of life in the jungle. Quickly, however, the tone shifts from peaceful and picturesque to violent as the narrative jumps forward in time, discussing Texaco’s future infractions against the almost-sacred jungle. This contrast between the pure and impure serves to amplify the extremes on both ends. It makes …show more content…

Because of the graphic and horrifying descriptions of the deer tied to the tree, I initially thought that Dillard was trying to elicit sympathy or pity for the helpless animal. However, her emotionless reaction to the torture led me to believe otherwise. When the parallel was drawn between the deer’s torture and Alan McDonald’s similar torment, I began to question the intention of essay, unsure of whether her point was that the world is cruel and we must cope with it, or whether she was challenging the cruelty of the world. Toward the end of the essay she begs someone to, “please explain to Alan McDonald in his dignity, to the deer and Providencia in his dignity, what is going on? And mail [her] the carbon copy” (84). After reading this line I was more confident that she was challenging the universe or God’s gratuitous cruelty. However, the last line of the essay, in which she calls the deer a “poor thing”, but remarks that “it was a ridiculous thing to say,” once again caused me to question the meaning of the story. After reflecting on it more, I realise the connection to theodicy, and I am inclined to believe that she accepts that there is cruelty in the world, but maybe has a difficult time reconciling it with the supposed perfect nature of

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The Deer at Providencia Interpretive Response In Annie Dillard’s story, The Deer at Providencia, the author recounts a shocking event during her trip to Ecuador along with a small moment back in her home. What do these two seemingly unconnected moments have in common? They both share the idea of suffering and pity, which are greatly reflected in the story’s message. That message being to not be surprised by the suffering that surrounds this world.

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In the fifth paragraph, Dillard describes Rahm’s appearance and juxtaposes that to vivid imagery. At the start of the show, Dillard was, “Idly paying...attention,” when she saw a “medium-sized, rugged man, dressed in brown leather, all begoggled…” who happened to be David Rahm. These mundane details describe Rahm as an average, ordinary man, who great things were not expected. By using mundane details, audience members understand how Dillard did not pay any extra attention to Rahm because he appeared to be average. However, once Rahm was in the plane, his actions demanded her attention.

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The poor little creature was still alive with one half of its face smushed by the tire, meowing in agonizing pain, I could only imagine. Yet I chose to hop back in the car and run it over again just to end its pain and suffering. At the end of “The Deer at Providencia” Dillard says “pobrecito” when she walks by the deer the final time. Through out the entire passage Dillard expresses no feeling of sadness or empathy for the

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