The effect on the observer or listener

Fundamental Device.—EFFECT OF DETAILS ON AN OBSERVER.

The giving of the effect produced upon an observer, either by the whole, or by the details which make up the whole, is a strong and suggestive way of handling material in descrip¬tion. The following gives a picture of Westmin ster Abbey by mentioning the various emotions and thoughts its details suggested to an observer:

A. MODEL.

On entering here, the magnitude of the building breaks fully upon the mind, contrasted with the vaults of the cloisters. The eyes gaze with wonder at clus¬tered columns of gigantic dimensions, with arches springing from them to such an amazing height ; and man wandering about their .bases, shrunk into insig¬nificance in comparison with his own handiwork. The spaciousness and gloom of this vast edifice produce a profound and mysterious awe. We step cautiously and softly about, as if fearful of disturbing the hallowed silence of the tomb ; While every footfall whispers along the walls and chatters among the sepulchres, making us more sensible of the quiet we have inter¬rupted. It seems as if the awful nature of the place presses down upon the soul, and hushes the beholder into noiseless reverence. We feel that we are surrounded by the congregated bones of the great men of past times, who have filled history with their deeds, and the earth with their renown. And yet it almost provokes a smile at the vanity of human ambition, to see how they are crowded together and jostled in the dust. —WASHINGTON IRVING, The Sketch-Book. SUGGESTIONS.—What description-motive is used in this model ? What is the fundamental quality ? Are the effects produced on  feeling, action, or thought ? What details produce these effects? Point out the verbs which seem to you especially strong. Minor devices used. contrast; personification

B. EXAMPLE FOR ANALYSIS.

The eagle is a bird of large ideas, he embraces long distances-; the continent is his home. I never look upon one without emotion ; I follow him with my eye as long as I can. I think of Canada, of the Great Lakes, of the Rocky Mountains, of the wild and sounding sea¬coast. The waters are his, and the woods, and the inaccessible cliffs. He pierces behind the veil of the storm, and his joy is height and depth and vast spaces.

—JOHN BURROUGHS, An Idyl of the Honey-Bee.

SUGGESTIONS.—What description-motive is used in this exam¬ple? What is the fundamental quality? What are the effects described as produced on the observer? Are the effects on mind, feeling, or action ? Minor device used. metaphor.

One of the most elaborate examples of descrip¬tion by the effect produced on a listener is Dryden's Ode to St. Cecilia. Music of various kinds is there described by the effect it produces upon Alexander.