“Behind the Formaldehyde Curtain”

453 Words2 Pages
In her essay, “Behind the formaldehyde curtain” Jessica Mitford explain what embalming really is and how the steps of embalming are ridiculous and grotesque. She uses an informative and scientific tone to show what happens when a body is left in the hands of a mortician. The author’s use of vivid imagery and complex diction shows that she know what she is talking about and gives the reader an image of what really is going on. Mitford’s purpose is to show the audience that nothing is pretty when the embalming process begins. Mitford begins her essay by using a metaphor; she compares the process of embalming to a drama. This lets the reader know how extensive this process is. She proceeds to use vivid imagery to show exactly what happens. Mitford lists a various materials used in her essay and with each she describes vividly what each id used for. In the beginning of the essay Mitford uses a metaphor describing the process of embalming to a drama by saying “The drama begins to unfold.” The author does this to tell the reader that the process is long and dramatic in a certain way. Throughout her essay Mitford takes the reader through a journey. Her use of imagery gives the reader an idea of what or where they are for example in one of her paragraphs she describes the place of where the embalming occurs as a “the tiled and sterile look.” She says this to give the reader an image . The use of diction is crucial in this essay. The author uses complex diction but necessary because the essay is all about science. She uses words such as “jaundice” to show that she knows about the topic and can back up her opinions. Mitford also uses diction when she says “il faut souffrir pour etre belle” which translates to, one must suffer to be beautiful. This is ironic yet true because, though the person who’s lying in front of the mortician ready to be rejuvenated is dead, they must

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