Passage 134 · 1883
"Treasure Island"
Main effectThrough numerical precision, spatial preposition placing living on dead, interjective refrain, coordinate subjects linking drink and devil, and past perfect completion, Stevenson creates syntax of pirate ballad—grammar that combines gruesome content with jaunty rhythm, making death casual through musical structure.
Device index
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Tropes
Repeated phrase.
Mild expression for harsh reality.
Associated term substituting.
Schemes
Omission of conjunctions.
Syntax
"Fifteen men"—number with noun. Syntax creates precise, ominous count.
"on the dead man's chest"—spatial preposition with possessive. Syntax places living on dead; creates gruesome image.
"Yo-ho-ho"—nautical interjection without grammatical function. Syntax breaks into song, interrupting narrative.
"Drink and the devil"—two subjects coordinated. Syntax treats alcohol and Satan as equal agents.
"had done for the rest"—past perfect with phrasal verb. Syntax marks completed destruction before present moment.
Two clauses with identical refrain. Syntax creates ballad repetition.
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Numerical Opening
"Fifteen men"—number with noun. Syntax creates precise, ominous count.
Prepositional Location
"on the dead man's chest"—spatial preposition with possessive. Syntax places living on dead; creates gruesome image.
Interjection Refrain
"Yo-ho-ho"—nautical interjection without grammatical function. Syntax breaks into song, interrupting narrative.
Coordinate Objects
"Drink and the devil"—two subjects coordinated. Syntax treats alcohol and Satan as equal agents.
Past Perfect Completion
"had done for the rest"—past perfect with phrasal verb. Syntax marks completed destruction before present moment.
Parallel Structure
Two clauses with identical refrain. Syntax creates ballad repetition.
Stylistic Effect
Through numerical precision, spatial preposition placing living on dead, interjective refrain, coordinate subjects linking drink and devil, and past perfect completion, Stevenson creates syntax of pirate ballad—grammar that combines gruesome content with jaunty rhythm, making death casual through musical structure.