Style and imagery

THE style of a text is the way it is written, the language it uses. Studying style enriches your understanding of the text because the style creates the meaning. A short example will show what I mean. Here are two passages which tell the same story: 1. Henderson came in and looked eagerly at his plate. He breathed in a great draught of air. ‘Ah, fried egg again! How attractive it looks on a dull morning!’ 2. Henderson came in and looked at the plate. The egg looked up at him like a malignant, bloodshot eye. He sighed. ‘Ah, fried egg again,’ he said flatly. ‘How attractive it looks on a dull morning!’