Long, boring drives are a staple of any Midwesterner’s childhood. Whether it be driving from Chicago to Minneapolis, or Sioux Falls to Fargo, there isn’t a lot of scenery to entertain adults or children alike. Author Debra Marquart knows these tedious rides well. She has written many a poem on growing up in rural, unpopulated North Dakota. Marquart’s memoir The Horizontal World details her experiences living and growing in the Midwest. In her memoir The Horizontal World, Debra Marquart utilizes eloquent diction, compelling pathos, and vivacious imagery to demonstrate the hidden wealth of the Midwest. Debra Marquart first employs ardent and articulate diction to enhance her depiction of the Midwest. One of the ways she applies diction is to describe the character of the Midwest. Marquart illustrates a road as “so lonely, treeless, and devoid of rises and curves in places that it will feel like one long-held pedal steel guitar note” (Marquart). This melancholic …show more content…
One of the most vivid examples of imagery Marquart uses is when describing the roads of North Dakota. She paints the picture of “a road so lonely, treeless, and devoid of rises and curves in places that it will feel like one long-held pedal steel guitar note” (Marquart). Her diction creates imagery almost tangible to the reader. Therefore, readers are able to immerse themselves in how it would feel to live in the Midwest. Another fitting example of imagery is when Marquart describes a relatable pop culture narrative. She explains, “Being blond, fresh-faced, and midwestern makes their descent into ruthless behavior in places like Los Angeles and New York all the more tragic” (Marquart). Descriptive imagery makes it even easier for readers to understand the common narrative using Midwesterners. The vivid and explanatory imagery assists readers in understand the ideas Marquart portrays in her