"Midnight's Children" Post 5b

Sometimes this book has a very unique writing style that is helpful, and makes it special cause it says something that could be said in a conventional way but in the way that the author expresses himself it actually makes more sense and is more natural when you think about it, besides inherently being rather beautiful. As this is rather vague, here are several examples: 

"Muffled shrilling of a bell penetrates the washing-chest, in which a nearlynineyearold boy lies uncomfortably concealed" (182). This one works well because Saleem is not yet nine but almost here, in a way that he is not eight any longer. I'm certain that when he is asked his age he rattles off this phrase "nearlynineyearsold" all in one thing: it has somehow taken on a meaning of its own, that stage of being on the verge, in between two states.

"I was gripped by hot fingers of excitement- the agitated insects of excitement danced in my stomach" (186). I enjoyed this metaphor because it does not seem as cliche as butterflies in one's stomach, it seems a little less sugar coated as insects are not quite as appealing. The repetition of the word "excitement" makes it really stick in one's mind, especially with its staccato sounds, and the juxtaposition of the words "agitated insects", which has a slightly disgusting connotation, and "excitement", which is generally a positive term, really describes that feeling of nervous apprehensive excitement-  not quite comfortable or happy but  not unpleasing.

Overall, although sometimes his writing style comes off as unnecessarily confusing or different, for the most part it's not only beautiful but purposeful, putting the reader more fully in the place of the story.