Lutie Johnson's Relationship With The Urban Setting In The Street

Through the use of literary devices such as figurative language, personification, and use of details, the author of The Street displays Lutie Johnson's relationship with the urban setting as overwhelming. Within paragraphs one and two there is a large amount of detail through word choice and imagery. Lutie’s overwhelming relationship is shown through the opening scene which is overflowing with imagery. The first thing the reader will imagine is an empty street with trash blowing around everywhere and a huge scary mess that is giving the urban scenery a very intimidating feel. Not only will they picture this messy scene, but they will also get a sense of harsh winds hitting their skin and almost get a feeling of the wind hitting them and burning their skin. This makes it seem as if the wind is trying to push them out

Since the author gives the wind such detail it has a huge impact on Lutie’s mood toward the city. The passage states that the wind did everything in it's power to “discourage the people”, which personifies the city as very unfriendly and unwelcoming. Although Lutie still has not been mentioned, we can still view her bad, furthermore overwhelming and anxious relationship with the urban setting. In fact, the windy city is being said to be “difficult to breath” which directly relates to the feeling of being overwhelmed and anxious, exactly how Lutie is feeling within this city. As the passage continues, it goes about saying “dust got into their eyes and blinded them”. This embodies not only the wind but also the urban setting as a location that will make you feel very vulnerable and unsafe. By the end of this selection the author finally speaks of Lutie directly and explains her specific thoughts towards the city. For instance, “cold fingers of the wind” personifies this city as very overwhelming and as if Lutie would much rather be anywhere