As the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said: “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” » This feeling is reflected in the characters of Salvage the Bones as they face the challenges of poverty and racism, as well as the looming threat of Hurricane Katrina. Through their struggles, we see their resilience and the indomitable nature of the human spirit. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on "Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In the novel Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward, the author uses a variety of literary devices to convey the themes of the novel and create a visceral and realistic representation of the characters' lives. The novel is set on the Gulf Coast in the days leading up to Hurricane Katrina and tells the story of a poor African-American family, the Batistes, who live in the fictional town of Bois Sauvage, Mississippi. . The novel explores themes of poverty, race, family, and the destructive power of nature. Through the use of narration, symbolism, imagery, foreshadowing, and stream-of-consciousness irony, the author is able to create a powerful and moving depiction of the characters and their experiences. One of the most important literary devices used in the novel is stream-of-consciousness narration. The novel is told from the point of view of the main protagonist, Esch, and her thoughts and feelings are presented in real time, allowing the reader to better understand her character and the impact of poverty and racism on her life. For example, Esch's thoughts on her poverty are clearly depicted when she describes the breakfast they had: "We had oatmeal and sugar for breakfast, the only things left in the house . My stomach growls with hunger, but I'm too proud to ask. to find out more. » Another important literary device used in Salvage the Bones is symbolism. The novel uses symbolism to convey deeper themes, such as the characters' relationship to the land, and the cyclical nature of life and death. For example, the recurring image of the dog fighting ring symbolizes the brutal cycle of poverty and violence in which the characters are trapped. “The ring is a secret, underground world where men gather to play and fight their dogs. Skeetah's dogs are her only ones. a source of pride and joy, and they are also a symbol of the cycle of violence and poverty that surrounds the Batiste family. "Imagery is also used extensively in the novel to create a realistic depiction of the lives of the characters and the setting. The images are used to convey the harsh realities of poverty, such as the dilapidated house, lack of food, and poverty. poverty of the region. For example, “The house is collapsing around us. The roof is leaking and the boards are warped. The pipes have burst from freezing and the toilets aren't working properly." Foreshadowing is also used throughout the novel to allude to the approaching hurricane Katrina and the devastation she will cause. This literary device helps build tension and create a sense of impending doom For example, “The sky is a sickly green, the color of pus. The wind picks up and I feel the first drops of rain on my face." Finally, irony is used in the novel to contrast the characters' expectations with the reality of their situation. For example, Skeetah's pitbull China is pregnant and he's worried about her and her puppies, but in reality the hurricane is about to hit and his dog is.