In my opinion, Raymond Carver pointed out how powerful the ordinary language can be when it is used clearly and with emotions. One story that got me thinking was “The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World” by Gabriel García Márquez which we learned at the first week of semester. What I found powerful was how the author described an extraordinary presence using very simple and familiar words. There’s one moment where the narrator says “Not only was he the tallest, strongest, most virile, and best built man they had ever seen, but even though they were looking at him there was no room for him in their imagination.” None of the words are fancy nor complicated however the way they’re combined together reflects how Esteban feel huge, mysterious, and unforgettable, short to the point.. I felt like I could see him with my eyes.
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One thought on “Discussion13_Hsu Wai Phyar”
Thank you for sharing, Hsu! I think that “The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World” is a great example of a story that utilizes ordinary language in a powerful way. The people in the story are so passionate about the drowned man and speak of him with such grandiosity that it really makes you feel that he must truly be magical. Your comment about feeling like you can see him with your eyes brings up an interesting thought to me about how big he really looks in each of our minds!