comment on language style

Englander employs several rhetorical devices in his novel. He uses anthropomorphism to represent the lack of human control. For example, he writes, “the missiles will scream” (3). This sentence implies that the falling missiles are alive, for “screaming” is a distinctly sentient action. The land of Israel and its happenings feel alive within feel alive in Englander’s writing. Foreshadowing also occurs, allowed based on the omniscient quality of the narration. The guard narrates: “He’s been guarding Prisoner Z in more ways than the prisoner could understand” (8). This sentence hints at a secret being withheld from the prisoner. Upon completion of the novel, the reader knows that there is such a secret and understands the severity of its ramifications. The secret is that the General has died.