Diction to Depiction

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Olivia Sanchez English 2304H-1 September 14, 2012 Diction to Depiction Throughout history authors write to convey a message to their audience, whether it is fiction or non-fiction, the diction that is chosen has deep impact to what is ultimately depicted. Words have the power to break down or build up the meaning behind any story. When the choice of words can be used effectively an author has the ability to portray the exact essence that is desired. The poem On Being Brought to America written by Phillis Wheatley exemplifies this by her choice of diction throughout the poem. Wheatley uses her diction to depict to the audience her understanding of why she was brought to America. Although the poem is only eight lines Wheatley manages to pack it with a punch. In the first line she writes “’Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land;” to describe the reason why she was brought over. (Wheatley) By using mercy Wheatley is explaining that it was only by the sheer grace of God she managed to escape from a false god idolizing land. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary mercy has many “sub-definitions” and one can be described as a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion. Choosing mercy creates this humble tone right off the bat that really sets in the fact that she doesn’t see her circumstances as violent kidnapping but rather to say she was always at God’s will. Looking at the first line again the reader will notice that after using mercy, at the end of the sentence she uses the word pagan to describe her homeland. Starts off with an act of God towards her and ends with biblical reference to a false god worshipping land to show the good from the bad, present to the past. This is a perfect example on how she is able to use her diction in order to depict what tone and meaning she wants her readers to understand. Continuing to speak on what God’s
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