Poison Roald Dahl Analysis

An author’s writing style is what differentiates one author’s work from another, making it distinguishable. It determines the tone, style, and many other aspects of their work. Style, in the terms of literature, means fitting the appropriate audience and context. The writing style can be found by examining the literary terms that are present in a short story. Roald Dahl, a famous short story writer, uses multiple literary devices in his short stories. Dahl developed a very effective writing style in his short story, “Poison” through his significant uses of irony, realistic imagery, and especially, engaging symbolism.
In Roald Dahl’s short story, “Poison,” the plot includes various examples of irony. “Poison” is one of Dahl’s most famous stories, …show more content…
Throughout the story, Dahl uses realistic examples of imagery in order to convey the message he wants to send out in his story. The use of imagery appeals to the reader’s senses, which was shown through the lack of noise. “'What's the matter, Harry?' 'Sshhh!' he whispered. 'Sshhh! For God's sake don't make a noise. Take your shoes off before you come nearer, Please do as I say, Timber,'” (1). Dahl explained how quiet the characters had to be in order for Harry to survive. He uses lifelike imagery to show the reader how Harry feels throughout this situation, creating suspense for the reader. The following use of imagery is to convey the mood throughout the story. “We pulled the sheet back faster then, and when we had uncovered his legs and feet we let the sheet drop over the end of the bed on to the floor.'Don't move,' Ganderbai said, 'don't move, Mr Pope,'” (10). Dahl uses detailed information to create a very stressful and scary mood thus creating suspense. Finally, his use of imagery helps make the story come alive to the reader. “He was lying there very still and tense as though he was holding on to himself hard because of sharp pain," (2). Towards the beginning of the story, Dahl explains how Harry felt through this entire incident which helps create a visual representation for the reader. Dahl’s use of imagery helps the reader place themselves in the story, …show more content…
Dahl uses multiple examples of symbolism, creating connections throughout the story. The first example is that the poison from the krait symbolizes racism. “The bite is quite deadly except sometimes when you catch it at once and they kill a fair number of people each year in Bengal, mostly in the villages.” (3). Generally speaking, Dahl is known for his meaningful symbolism in his short stories. The first example of symbolism is that the poison from a krait bite represents racism. Although racism is not visible by the naked eye at all times, it can be seen through our actions. In addition, Dahl uses another example of symbolism, specifically the bed sheet, which also ties in with the first example. "'We can't very well leave him lying there,' I said. 'He's getting nervous.' 'Please! Please,'” (6). Furthermore, the bed sheet symbolizes represents protection from racism, in the bed sheet creates a barrier between the krait and Harry. Finally, his last use of symbolism is seen through the form of superiority. “A little farther and I saw a button, a mother-of-pearl button, and that was something I had never had on my pajamas, a fly button, let alone a mother-of-pearl one. This Harry, I thought, he is very refined,” (10). Lastly, Dahl’s last use of symbolism is shown through the pearl on Harry’s pajamas. As seen in the story, Harry believes that he is socially above the Indian