Calm atmosphere
The image of calmness and peace appeals to the reader’s imagination at depicting the room in which tortures take place. “In the middle of the room stood a big heavy table that was never clear of glasses and playing cards except when they were removed to make way for torture or an execution by the slaughteryard’s Federalist killers. In one corner stood another small table, laid out with writing materials and a notebook and surrounded by a few chairs, prominent among them that of the judge. One man, by appearance a soldier, sat there accompanying himself on a guitar as he sang a song highly popular amongst the Federalists about dancing in the slippery blood of a slit throat. At that moment, the throng of rabble reached the veranda and hurled the young Unitarian inside.” Thus, the imperturbability and coolness of the room and those present in it is harshly contrasted to the image of blood in the song, which presents sufferings and injustice taking place.
Beastful behavior
The young man continues asking for death, and his sufferings are depicted through image of rage: “His whole body seemed to convulse. His livid face, his voice, his quivering lips betrayed the pounding of his heart and the state of his nerves. His fiery eyes seemed to burst from their sockets, his lank black hair bristled. His bare throat and shirt front revealed the violent throb of his arteries and his anxious breathing”. The image appeals to readers’ heart, and tries to dig up a sense of humanity.
