Jenny Joseph's Warning Ap Language

Grace Sa
AP English Literature
Jenny Joseph’s “Warning” conveys the thought that old age is something to be celebrated and hoped for, as one loses all expectations from society. Therefore, the individual can then do whatever they wish, within the confines of the law, and not be scolded or reprimanded socially for their actions. Joseph uses diction that conveys actions only old people would/can do, imagery that lets the reader imagine how society frowns upon those out of the status quo, unless they are old, and syntax that shows how old people do as they please, not questioning what they are doing or how they will be viewed in the public eye.
“Warning” shows how Joseph truly longs for the day when she becomes elderly, as she will then be free of the expectations of
This is shown with these two examples: “I shall go out in my slippers in the rain, and pick flowers in other people's gardens, and learn to spit,” where the syntax shows a carefree, uncouth nature, and “But now we must have clothes that keep us dry, and pay our rent and not swear in the street, and set a good example for the children,” where the syntax betrays the irritation the writer has for being a young adult, and her longing for being elderly.
Within “Warning” by Jenny Joseph, we learn of how enjoyable old age can be when compared to being a young adult, who has so many social, moral, and financial responsibilities that it makes it extremely hard to enjoy life. The diction she uses helps to describe what an old person, free of responsibilities, and a young person, who has many expectations set upon them, differ in. The imagery lets the reader visualize how great being old is, and how horrid being young is, with the syntax accompanying this imagery by way of wording phrases heavily positive when it comes to old age, and highly negative when it comes to being