A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland Literary Elements

A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland Literary Elements

Genre

Non-fiction autobiographical journal

Setting and Context

Non-fiction autobiographical journal

Narrator and Point of View

First-person narrative

Tone and Mood

The tone is adventurers, and the mood is moving.

Protagonist and Antagonist

The protagonists are Samuel Johnson and James Boswell.

Major Conflict

The conflict is that the Scots do not respect English law at all. Therefore, Johnson's trip across the Scottish Highlands is dangerous because the movement of the Englishmen is closely monitored.

Climax

The climax comes when Johnson and Boswell meet Lord Monboddo, who accommodates them despite having Scottish attributes.

Foreshadowing

Lord Monboddo’s farm work foreshadows the beauty of Scotland.

Understatement

The culture of the Scottish people is understated in the text. Initially, Johnson hints that they are scared of Englishmen, but the revelation is the opposite because they are welcome to get the opportunity to see the beauty of Scotland.

Allusions

The story alludes to Johnson’s adventure and explorations in Scotland.

Imagery

The beauty of Scotland depicts sight imagery. Johnson describes the beauty of the roads, the mountains and the people enabling readers to visualize the setting of Scotland.

Paradox

The main paradox is that Lord Monboddo as a different person while in court and when at home. While in court, Lord is strict and focused on justice, but when at home, he is a welcoming humble farmer.

Parallelism

The Scottish culture and expectations parallel the Englishmen way of doing things.

Metonymy and Synecdoche

N/A

Personification

Scotland is embodied as beautiful and charming.

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