Literary Analysis
Dykes 1
Annalise Dykes
Mrs. Foord
Honors English II
15 September 2014
“ The Johnstown Flood” Literary Analysis “Then a long roof,which may have been what was left of the arcade building,came plowing toward her, looking as big as a steamboat loaded down with perhaps twenty people. She called out to them, begging someone to save her”(112113). This is a quote from one of David
McCullough’s historical narratives. McCullough tells this story, “The Johnstown Flood” through his use of imagery, diction,and personification.
One way McCullough keeps this historical narrative interesting is through the use of imagery. He describes a house as, “a long center hall and a beautifully furnished parlor at one end and little bedrooms with doll beds...”(111). By using these descriptive words, like
“beautifully” and “doll beds,” McCollough helps the reader to picture a decadent room filled with luxurious items. Another example of McCullough’s use of imagery is displayed in page
111, “It was then that he saw the dark mist and heard the sound of the wave coming, he rushed..”. Through the use of imagery, McCullough directs the readers attention to the panic of the characters, it pulls the readers in and causes them to create a mental picture of what is happening in that moment.
Another stylistic element McCullough uses in his writing is diction. An example of the specific diction McCullough uses is when he states, “this big house could never go down”(108).
The word choice and placing of this line in the story directly alludes to the ending, later in the
Dykes 2
story when flood waters rise and leave the family running to the top of the big hill for safety.
McCullough uses this literary device to grab the readers attention early on and to keep them guessing throughout the story; however, he also uses it to build suspense and change the mood by later using words like “slammed” and “plowing towards her” to describe the immediate and impending fear of
Annalise Dykes
Mrs. Foord
Honors English II
15 September 2014
“ The Johnstown Flood” Literary Analysis “Then a long roof,which may have been what was left of the arcade building,came plowing toward her, looking as big as a steamboat loaded down with perhaps twenty people. She called out to them, begging someone to save her”(112113). This is a quote from one of David
McCullough’s historical narratives. McCullough tells this story, “The Johnstown Flood” through his use of imagery, diction,and personification.
One way McCullough keeps this historical narrative interesting is through the use of imagery. He describes a house as, “a long center hall and a beautifully furnished parlor at one end and little bedrooms with doll beds...”(111). By using these descriptive words, like
“beautifully” and “doll beds,” McCollough helps the reader to picture a decadent room filled with luxurious items. Another example of McCullough’s use of imagery is displayed in page
111, “It was then that he saw the dark mist and heard the sound of the wave coming, he rushed..”. Through the use of imagery, McCullough directs the readers attention to the panic of the characters, it pulls the readers in and causes them to create a mental picture of what is happening in that moment.
Another stylistic element McCullough uses in his writing is diction. An example of the specific diction McCullough uses is when he states, “this big house could never go down”(108).
The word choice and placing of this line in the story directly alludes to the ending, later in the
Dykes 2
story when flood waters rise and leave the family running to the top of the big hill for safety.
McCullough uses this literary device to grab the readers attention early on and to keep them guessing throughout the story; however, he also uses it to build suspense and change the mood by later using words like “slammed” and “plowing towards her” to describe the immediate and impending fear of