Examples Of Juxtaposition In Olmsted

“If everything when perfectly- if his health did not degrade any further, if the weather held, if Burham completed the other buildings on time, if strikes did not destroy the fair, if the many committees and directors, which Olmsted called ‘that army of our hundreds of masters,’ learned to leave Burnham alone- Olmsted might be able to complete his task on time” (Larson 118).
The repetition of the word “if” emphasizes the odds against the fair being a success. Each “if” adds another expectation that needs to be met and makes the reader understand Olmsted’s growing frustration each restricting expectation. Larson even italicizes the words “if” and “might” highlighting the emphasis on the anticipations of the fair. The connotation of the word
Larson emphasizes Ulrich’s sensor tendencies by highlighting how his focus is not directed towards “the broad scheme” but rather towards what Olmsted regards as “minute tasks.” By focusing on Ulrich’s tendencies that create anxiety for Olmsted, Olmsted’s intuitive tendency of focusing on the big picture is emphasized as well as his tendency of letting those below him in rank handle the tasks that he feels are too minute for him to take care of. Even the connotation of the word “minute” emphasizes Olmsted’s view of Ulrich’s approach. Larson also plays to the idea that Olmsted becomes stressed when Ulrich’s strategy for getting the job done conflicts with the way that Olmsted thinks that it should be handled. Furthermore, this sentence makes the reader understand that the two men have the same goals but approach achieving them in vastly different
Larson’s use of imagery emphasizes the meticulous work that went into the construction of the frame of the building. The connotation of the word “cocooned” causes the reader to imagine the gentleness that was used to blanket the wood. “Cocooned” also creates an image of soft, smooth threads surrounding the frames. The phrase “hundreds of thousands” creates a vivid image for the reader of the vast amount of work that results in little progress. The imagery in this sentence serves to both emphasize the scrupulousness of the work and the tremendous amount of it for the reader.
“Holmes knew he possessed great power over Julia. First there was the power that accrued to him naturally through his ability to bewitch men and women alike with false candor and warmth; second, the power of social approbation that he now focused upon her” (Larson