The Language of "The Lightning-Rod Man"

Paper Summary:

This research paper focuses on the language of Herman Melville's "The Lightning-Rod Man". The author examines diction, characterization, and description, and how Melville uses these aspects to portray the theme and religious symbolism of the story. Also includes short comparison to John Milton's "Paradise Regained".

From the Paper:

"Herman Melville's short story, "The Lightning-Rod Man," first appeared in Putnam's Monthly Magazine in August of 1854 and was later published in Melville's The Piazza Tales in 1856 (Verdier, 273). It seems all critics have a different opinion of the story. One anonymous critic said, "The Lightning-Rod Man" a story which excited great attention when originally published in Putnam's Monthly" (Parker, 83). One the other hand, another anonymous critic said," "The Lightning-Rod Man" is a very flat recital which we should never have suspected Melville of producing, had it not been put forth under the sanction of his name" (Parker, 81). Critics also differ in what they think is the theme of the story, but most will agree that Melville creates religious symbolism through his diction and characterization. Verdier says, "the tale may be seen as a confrontation between Good and Evil" (274), which the story, on an emblematic level, most definitely is. Through description and diction, the narrator is understood as a follower of God, someone who believes in The Almighty watching over him. On the other hand, the lightning-rod man is seen as a negative character, someone who only has faith in the product he's peddling. Symbolically, the lightning-rod man is representative of Satan himself. "

More papers on The Language of "The Lightning-Rod Man":

• Analytical Essay # 67211 : "The Language of the Land"
• Research Paper # 102599 : "The Language of the Window" - Robert Creeley"
• Analytical Essay # 63190 : "The Language of Blood"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: