Literary Analysis
“He was handsome, certainly, but plenty of handsome men had come through the diner before. What was so attractive about Jack was his exoticism – the fact that he looked completely wrong there, like an orchid blooming in the desert, yet he acted as if there was no place he’d rather be.” (p. 55) Jodi Picoult uses a variation of techniques to make her writing unique and keeps the reader locked in from start to finish. Interweaving characters, events, and suspense Picoult conjures up a novel that is emotionally riveting and intellectually stimulating. She also utilizes an array of figurative language that illuminates the characters and setting, elevating them off the page immersing the reader in the story. With precise diction, varied syntax, and consistent structure the story is well organized and enjoyable to read, making it easier to focus on plot, rather than on minute details that might otherwise distract the reader. In Salem Falls imagery is the most potent weapon in Jodi Picoult’s creative arsenal. By illustrating individual characters actions in rich detail they are incredibly real and each one is better understood. “The woman was waiting for them when they climbed to the third floor – thin, worn, with red hair that came out of a bottle. Her hands twisted in front of her, as if she were pulling invisible taffy. The moment she saw Jack her mouth rounded into a silent O.” The excerpt above gives a great mental image of the woman that Jack’s father was having an affair with, while at the same time gives insight into Jack’s psyche because the observation is his own. Simile is also widely used throughout the novel to make the actions to compare ordinary human attributes to natural objects, such as jack being drawn up against a desert orchid. Picoult uses allusion in Salem Falls to help the reader better understand the characters thought process by picking specific allusions unique to that persons personality. In Addie’s case she is referred to as Orpheus from Greek mythology, but does not make the same mistake representing her inner strength. “This hero was given permission to bring his love Eurydice back from the underworld but lost her by turning back too quickly to see if she was following. Addie wouldn’t be like Orpheus. She kept walking with her eyes fixed ahead…” Salem Falls is a great read. Starting at chapter one Addie is introduced as a frantic business owner and Picoult structures her diction to envelope the reader in feelings of anxiety by using words like catastrophe, devastating, and enormous. All of these create a sense of overwhelming stress and contrast against the small time setting of a dreary new England town. The varied syntax makes the story flow and keeps the longer paragraphs from being monotonous. Both of the literary techniques make the story more enjoyable and make it a memorable work. I would suggest this book to any interested reader looking for a tale of mystery, love, and human interaction. This book held my interest from the opening lines to the paralyzing end, four out of five stars.
